plate no. 1072
Samuel Beckett in Profile
Avigdor Arikha, 1970
some experience helpful
This drawing is a great exercise in capturing form and expression using only line. Students will develop their observational skills and learn to suggest value through line weight and density.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall head shape and proportions.
- step 02
Establish the basic planes of the face, focusing on the brow, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Use a series of short, directional lines to build up the form and suggest shadows.
- step 04
Vary the line weight to create depth and emphasis.
- step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the character's expression.
- step 06
Continue to build up the hair with energetic, scribbled lines.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and add any final details.
- step 08
Erase any unnecessary guidelines.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary ·
This is a monochromatic drawing, so no color mixing is required.
techniques
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Line weight variation
- ·Contour drawing
- ·Gesture drawing
- ·Scribbling
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the lines.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
- →Creating lines that are too uniform and lack variation.
- →Failing to capture the character's expression.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencil (HB or 2B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Sharpener
- ·Kneaded eraser
optional
- ·Ruler
- ·Blending stump
Experiment with different types of pencils and papers to find what works best for you.
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