plate no. 5863

Self

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanbeardclothingface

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering form with value and capturing likeness through careful observation of proportions and details. It also provides practice in creating texture with pencil strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall proportions and placement of the figure on the page.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the angles and curves of the face, head, and shoulders.
step 03
Start adding value with light, even strokes, building up the darker areas gradually.
step 04
Focus on the eyes and other key features to capture the likeness of the subject.
step 05
Use a variety of pencil strokes to create texture in the hair, beard, and clothing.
step 06
Add darker values to create contrast and depth in the shadows.
step 07
Soften edges and blend values as needed to create a smooth, realistic effect.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · graphite · white

secondary · none

This is a monochromatic drawing, so mixing is not applicable. Focus on layering graphite to achieve different values.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·blending
·value layering
·rendering

common pitfalls

→Rushing the initial sketch and getting the proportions wrong.
→Applying too much pressure with the pencil too early, making it difficult to erase mistakes.
→Not paying close enough attention to the values, resulting in a flat, lifeless drawing.
→Over-blending and losing the texture of the pencil strokes.

materials

surface · drawing paper

required

·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
·Eraser
·Kneaded eraser
·Drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
·Pencil sharpener
·Blending stump or tortillon

optional

·ruler
·drawing board
·fixative spray

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different types of drawing paper to find one that suits your style.

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