plate no. 6950
Miss Elizabeth Williamson
John Singer Sargent, 1925
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with charcoal, understanding tonal values, and capturing likeness through careful observation.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the head, hair, and clothing.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values to define the shadows and contours of the face.
- step 04
Develop the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to subtle variations in tone.
- step 05
Work on the hair, using short, overlapping strokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, using lighter values to suggest highlights.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition, adjusting values and adding details as needed.
- step 08
Soften edges and blend tones for a more realistic effect.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · white
secondary ·
Varying pressure and blending will create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·charcoal blending
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·tonal shading
common pitfalls
- →overworking details too early
- →not establishing a full range of values
- →getting proportions wrong
- →smudging
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper
- ·blending stumps
- ·fixative spray
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·chamois cloth
- ·ruler
Use a variety of charcoal pencils to achieve a full range of values. Work in a well-lit area to accurately assess tonal values.
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