plate no. 0310
San Juan de la Cruz
Francisco Pacheco, 1599
some experience helpful
Recreating this image will help students develop skills in rendering form with hatching and cross-hatching, as well as understanding value relationships in a limited palette. It also provides practice in replicating intricate details and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, including the figure, frame, and text areas.
- step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the proportions and anatomical details of the figure.
- step 03
Start adding the darkest values using thin, controlled lines, focusing on areas of shadow and depth.
- step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones by adding more lines, varying the density and direction to create different textures.
- step 05
Use cross-hatching to deepen the shadows and create a sense of volume.
- step 06
Carefully render the details of the frame and text, ensuring accuracy and clarity.
- step 07
Add highlights by leaving areas of the paper untouched or using very light lines.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to the values and details.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary ·
This image relies entirely on the contrast between black and white, achieved through varying line density and cross-hatching.
techniques
- ·Hatching
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Stippling (optional, for texture)
- ·Line weight variation
- ·Negative space
common pitfalls
- →Applying too much pressure, resulting in dark, heavy lines that lack subtlety.
- →Failing to vary the line density, creating a flat, uninteresting image.
- →Ignoring the direction of the light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
- →Overworking certain areas, resulting in a muddy or overworked appearance.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Smooth drawing paper
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Ruler
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Reference image
optional
- ·Blending stump
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Magnifying glass
Use a smooth paper to allow for clean lines and avoid unwanted texture. Experiment with different graphite pencils to achieve a range of values.
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