plate no. 8847
Matthäus Roritzer
Hans Holbein the Elder, 1495
some experience helpful
This drawing provides practice in rendering form using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Students will also develop skills in capturing likeness and creating subtle tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition and proportions of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the head, hat, and clothing.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the shadows and contours.
- step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching to build up the tonal range.
- step 05
Pay close attention to the direction of the light and how it affects the forms.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, hair, and clothing.
- step 07
Add subtle washes to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details.
color palette
primary · sepia · ivory black
secondary · raw umber
Vary the intensity of the sepia and black by diluting with water or blending with raw umber to achieve different shades of gray and brown.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·wash
- ·contour drawing
- ·rendering
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figure.
- →Using too much pressure and creating dark, heavy lines.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·smooth drawing paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·sepia ink
- ·fine liner
- ·watercolor brushes (small round)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·watercolor pencils
Use a light touch when applying the graphite and ink. Build up the values gradually to avoid creating harsh lines.
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