plate no. 5358
Portrait of Johann Karl Baehr
Leopold Pollak, 1828
some experience helpful
This drawing focuses on developing skills in capturing likeness through line work and shading. Students will learn to create form and texture using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape of the head and shoulders, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Establish the main features: eyes, nose, mouth, and ears, using light guidelines.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, adding details and subtle curves.
- step 04
Begin shading the hair, using short, curved lines to indicate volume and direction.
- step 05
Add shading to the face, focusing on areas of shadow and highlight to create form.
- step 06
Define the clothing with simple lines and shading, using hatching to create texture.
- step 07
Add details to the background, if any, and refine the overall composition.
- step 08
Erase any unnecessary guidelines and adjust the values to create a balanced and harmonious drawing.
color palette
primary · graphite · white (paper)
secondary ·
Varying pressure on the pencil creates different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·Hatching
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Contour drawing
- ·Value shading
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
- →Creating flat, lifeless shading.
- →Ignoring the proportions of the face and body.
materials
surface · Drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Sketchbook or drawing paper
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Blending stump
optional
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Ruler
Use a smooth paper for easier blending and shading.
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