plate no. 6857

S. D. Shishmarev on Board the Ship

pencil, paperRealismportraitfigureportraitshipseaclothingrailing

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in accurate proportion, rendering of textures with pencil, and creating depth through value variations. It also provides practice in drawing complex clothing folds and details.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on the proportions of the figure and the placement of key elements like the railing and horizon line.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the anatomical accuracy of the figure and the details of the clothing.
step 03
Start adding values, beginning with the darkest areas of the drawing, such as the shadows in the clothing folds and the background.
step 04
Gradually build up the values, using a range of pencil grades to create subtle tonal variations.
step 05
Pay attention to the direction of the light and how it affects the form of the figure and the surrounding objects.
step 06
Add details such as the buttons on the coat, the texture of the clothing, and the details of the ship's railing.
step 07
Refine the drawing, making adjustments to the values and details as needed.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.

color palette

primary · graphite · white

secondary · light grey · dark grey

Varying pressure and pencil grade creates different shades of grey.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·value shading
·rendering textures

common pitfalls

→Incorrect proportions of the figure.
→Lack of attention to detail in the clothing and other elements.
→Failure to create a full range of values, resulting in a flat or lifeless drawing.
→Inconsistent light source.