plate no. 2488

Portrait of Armand Salacrou

Jean Dubuffet, 1917

oilExpressionismportraitportraitfiguremanhairclothinghand

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in contour drawing, cross-hatching, and capturing likeness with minimal lines. It also encourages observation of subtle tonal variations to create form.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
step 02
Establish the main contours of the head, shoulders, and hands.
step 03
Begin adding darker lines to define the shadows and details of the face.
step 04
Use cross-hatching to build up the tonal values in the hair and clothing.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of the lines to suggest form and texture.
step 06
Refine the details of the face, especially the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 07
Add final touches to the clothing and background to create a sense of depth.
step 08
Step back and check the overall balance and proportions of the drawing.

color palette

primary · sepia · raw umber

secondary · ivory black

Vary the pressure and density of the pencil strokes to achieve different tonal values. Dilute sepia ink with water for lighter shades.

techniques

·contour drawing
·cross-hatching
·line weight variation
·hatching
·rendering form with value

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing with too many lines.
→Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the subtle tonal variations in the face and clothing.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the lines.

materials

surface · smooth drawing paper

required

·sketchbook
·sepia ink
·fine liner pen
·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·eraser
·kneaded eraser

optional

·tortillion
·watercolor brush
·ruler

Use a light touch when sketching the initial lines to avoid making them too dark. Experiment with different types of pencils and pens to find the ones that work best for you.

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