plate no. 9443
Portrait of Ford Madox Brown
Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1852
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with value and understanding the use of hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and texture. It also emphasizes accurate proportion and capturing likeness.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
- step 03
Define the facial features, paying close attention to the angles and distances between them.
- step 04
Begin adding value with light hatching, focusing on the areas of shadow.
- step 05
Build up the darker values with cross-hatching, gradually increasing the contrast.
- step 06
Add details to the hair and clothing, using varied line weights to create texture.
- step 07
Refine the overall drawing, adjusting values and adding subtle details.
- step 08
Add the signature and date if desired.
color palette
primary · graphite · white (paper)
secondary ·
Varying pressure and layering of graphite creates different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·value shading
- ·contour drawing
- ·rendering textures
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions can ruin the likeness.
- →Overworking the drawing can make it look muddy.
- →Uneven shading can create a flat, unrealistic appearance.
- →Ignoring the direction of light can lead to inaccurate shadows.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·drawing paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·ruler
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A kneaded eraser is useful for lifting graphite and creating highlights.
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