plate no. 7515

Portrait of a student

Aleksandr Deyneka, 1916

oilRealismportraitportraitfiguremanprofilehairclothing

some experience helpful

This drawing is a great exercise in capturing form and volume using hatching and cross-hatching techniques. Students will develop their understanding of tonal values and how to create depth with simple lines.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic outline of the head and shoulders, focusing on proportions.
step 02
Establish the main planes of the face: forehead, nose, cheekbones, and jawline.
step 03
Begin adding hatching lines to define the darker areas, such as the hair and shadows under the nose and chin.
step 04
Use cross-hatching to build up darker tones and create a sense of volume.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of the hatching lines to suggest the form of the head.
step 06
Add details such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using varying line weights to create emphasis.
step 07
Refine the overall drawing, adjusting values and adding subtle details to the clothing.
step 08
Erase any unnecessary guidelines and clean up the edges of the drawing.