plate no. 7291
Portrait of Calvin, actor of the Palais-Royal
Émile Bayard, 1880
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes of the head, torso, and clothing.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the angles and distances between them.
- step 04
Add details to the hair, clothing, and bow tie.
- step 05
Use varying line weights to define the contours and create depth.
- step 06
Add shading to create form and volume, focusing on areas of light and shadow.
- step 07
Erase any unnecessary guidelines and refine the overall drawing.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.
color palette
primary · graphite · charcoal
secondary · white · gray
Varying pressure and layering of graphite or charcoal will create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·contour drawing
- ·value shading
common pitfalls
- →Getting the proportions wrong, leading to an inaccurate likeness.
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Not paying attention to the subtle value changes, resulting in a flat image.
- →Using lines that are too uniform in weight, making the drawing look lifeless.
materials
surface · sketch paper
required
- ·sketch paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·ruler
- ·drawing board
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·chamois cloth
- ·fixative spray
Use a smooth sketch paper for easier blending. A variety of pencil grades will help achieve a full range of values.
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