plate no. 7806
Olympic champion
Nikolaos Gyzis, 1896
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in proportion, shading, and capturing the likeness of a subject. It also provides practice in using a limited value range to create form.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape of the head and neck, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the basic planes of the face and head with light lines.
- step 03
Refine the outline of the profile, focusing on accuracy.
- step 04
Begin shading the darker areas, such as around the eyes, nose, and under the chin.
- step 05
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending smoothly to create form.
- step 06
Add details to the features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Refine the hair and clothing, adding texture and detail.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the shading and highlights to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · graphite · white (paper)
secondary ·
Varying pressure and layering will achieve the different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·blending
- ·contour drawing
- ·shading
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions can ruin the likeness.
- →Overworking the shading can make the drawing look muddy.
- →Ignoring the subtle changes in value can flatten the form.
- →Failing to capture the unique characteristics of the subject.
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Blending stump
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·ruler
- ·grid paper
- ·fixative spray
Use a smooth drawing paper for best results when blending.
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