plate no. 9310
Portrait of Peter Schoepf (1804–1875) from Munich
Leopold Pollak, 1835
some experience helpful
This drawing is a good exercise in capturing likeness and form using tonal values. Students will develop skills in proportion, shading, and rendering textures with graphite.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the head, body, and limbs.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, focusing on accurate placement and proportions.
- step 04
Begin shading the darker areas of the clothing and hair, building up layers of graphite.
- step 05
Add mid-tones to create depth and volume in the figure.
- step 06
Render the details of the clothing, such as folds, buttons, and textures.
- step 07
Add the background shading to create contrast and depth.
- step 08
Finalize the drawing by adding highlights and refining the details.
color palette
primary · graphite · sepia
secondary · white (paper)
Varying pressure and layering of graphite will create different tonal values. Sepia can be used sparingly to add warmth to the shadows.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions can distort the likeness.
- →Overworking the drawing can make it appear muddy.
- →Failing to establish a full range of values can result in a flat image.
- →Ignoring the underlying structure of the figure can lead to inaccuracies.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper
- ·ruler
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·sepia pencil
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·chamois cloth
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of tonal values. A kneaded eraser is helpful for lifting graphite and creating highlights.
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