plate no. 3938
Portrait of a Bearded Man, possibly a Self Portrait
Leonardo da Vinci, 1513
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in rendering form with hatching and cross-hatching, and understanding subtle tonal variations to create depth and volume. It also emphasizes careful observation and proportion in portraiture.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the face: the brow line, nose, mouth, and chin.
- step 03
Begin adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to their unique characteristics.
- step 04
Start rendering the hair and beard with flowing lines, following the direction of the hair growth.
- step 05
Use hatching and cross-hatching to build up the tonal values, creating shadows and highlights.
- step 06
Pay attention to the subtle variations in tone to create a sense of depth and volume.
- step 07
Refine the details and adjust the tonal values as needed.
- step 08
Add the background texture with light, stippled marks.
color palette
primary · sanguine chalk · white chalk
secondary · raw umber
Vary the pressure and layering of the sanguine chalk to achieve different shades. Use white chalk sparingly for highlights.
techniques
- ·Hatching
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Blending
- ·Contour drawing
- ·Stippling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Not paying attention to the overall proportions.
- →Making the lines too dark and heavy.
- →Ignoring the subtle tonal variations.
materials
surface · toned paper
required
- ·Sanguine chalk
- ·White chalk
- ·Drawing paper with a slightly textured surface
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Fixative spray
optional
- ·Raw umber chalk
- ·Sandpaper block for sharpening chalk
Choose a paper with a warm tone to mimic the original drawing. Experiment with different chalks to find the ones that work best for you.
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