plate no. 1785

Military Types, Fantassin Desvignes from Burgundy

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremilitaryhelmetmanclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in layering colored pencils to achieve subtle color variations and rendering realistic textures using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head, helmet, and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main light source and map out the areas of light and shadow.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the face, starting with light tones and gradually building up darker values using hatching and cross-hatching.
step 04
Render the helmet, paying attention to the metallic sheen and subtle color variations.
step 05
Work on the clothing, using similar layering techniques to create texture and depth.
step 06
Add details such as the mustache, eyes, and any other defining features.
step 07
Refine the values and colors, ensuring a smooth transition between light and shadow.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to bring the drawing to life.

color palette

primary · burnt sienna · payne's grey · raw umber · white

secondary · olive green · cadmium red

Mix burnt sienna with white for highlights on the face, and add small amounts of cadmium red for warmer skin tones. Use payne's grey and raw umber to create the shadows on the helmet and clothing, and mix olive green with grey for the collar.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·layering
·blending
·value control

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
→Using too much pressure on the colored pencils, resulting in a waxy buildup.
→Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
→Not paying attention to the subtle color variations in the skin and clothing.

materials

surface · Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)

required

·Set of colored pencils (various browns, grays, greens, reds)
·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
·Kneaded eraser
·Pencil sharpener
·Blending stump or tortillon
·Sketching pencil (HB or 2B)
·Ruler

optional

·Fixative spray
·Drafting tape
·Palette for mixing colors

Experiment with different brands of colored pencils to find the ones that work best for you. Use light pressure when layering colors to avoid a waxy buildup.

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