plate no. 1115
Mother with baby
George Pemba, 1989
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in layering colored pencils to create depth and form, as well as understanding how to depict human figures with realistic proportions and shading. The headwrap provides an opportunity to practice rendering complex patterns and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Begin layering colors on the skin tones, starting with lighter shades and gradually adding darker values to create depth.
- step 03
Work on the clothing, using different colors and layering techniques to create texture and patterns.
- step 04
Focus on the headwrap, carefully rendering the folds and patterns with a variety of colors and values.
- step 05
Add details to the faces, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using precise lines and shading.
- step 06
Develop the background with loose, gestural strokes to suggest the environment.
- step 07
Refine the overall drawing by adding highlights and shadows to enhance the three-dimensionality of the figures.
- step 08
Review and adjust the colors and values as needed to achieve a cohesive and balanced composition.
color palette
primary · brown · yellow · blue · red
secondary · green · pink · grey
Mix browns with blues and reds to create realistic skin tones. Use yellow and brown to create the clothing. Mix blues and greys for the headwrap.
techniques
- ·layering
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Using too much pressure on the colored pencils, resulting in a flat and lifeless appearance.
- →Neglecting the background and failing to create a sense of depth and atmosphere.
- →Inaccurate proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·Sketchbook or drawing paper
- ·Set of colored pencils
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Ruler
- ·Reference image
optional
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of colored pencils to achieve a wide range of values and hues. Experiment with different layering and blending techniques to create texture and depth.
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