plate no. 4635

Self Portrait at the Drawing Board

Bruno Schulz, 1919

oilExpressionismself-portraitself-portraitfiguredrawing boardartworkinteriorarchitecture

some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in rendering form with tonal values and creating depth through layering and varying line weights. It also provides practice in capturing likeness and portraying complex scenes with figures and architectural elements.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch to establish the overall composition and proportions of the figure, drawing board, and background elements.
step 02
Focus on the main shapes and lines, paying attention to the angles and relationships between different parts of the composition.
step 03
Start adding darker values to the areas of shadow, gradually building up the tonal range.
step 04
Use hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create texture and depth.
step 05
Pay close attention to the details of the face, capturing the likeness and expression of the subject.
step 06
Refine the details of the drawing board and background elements, adding texture and depth.
step 07
Use a kneaded eraser to lift out highlights and create a sense of light and atmosphere.
step 08
Add final touches and adjustments to complete the drawing.

color palette

primary · graphite · charcoal

secondary · white (paper)

Varying pressure and layering are key to achieving the full range of values from light to dark.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·tonal shading
·rendering form
·line weight variation

common pitfalls

→Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
→Failing to establish a clear tonal range and creating a flat, lifeless image.
→Neglecting the details of the face and failing to capture the likeness of the subject.
→Ignoring the background elements and creating a disjointed composition.

materials

surface · drawing paper

required

·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
·drawing paper
·kneaded eraser
·pencil sharpener
·ruler
·blending stump

optional

·charcoal pencils
·tortillon
·fixative spray

Experiment with different grades of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of tonal values. Use a kneaded eraser to lift out highlights and correct mistakes.

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