Self Portrait by Alekos Kontopoulos

plate no. 0760

Self Portrait

Alekos Kontopoulos

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurefaceself-portraitmanhand

some experience helpful

This drawing helps students develop skills in line work, cross-hatching for shading, and capturing likeness through expressive mark-making. It emphasizes understanding of form and shadow using a limited tonal range.

technical profile

palette complexity

1

brushwork visibility

5

value contrast

4

compositional simplicity

3

study guide

est. 4 hrs

approach — 7 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head, hand, and shoulders to establish proportions.
step 02
Define the main contours of the face and hand with confident lines.
step 03
Use cross-hatching to build up shadows on the left side of the face and in the background.
step 04
Vary the density and direction of the hatching to create different tonal values.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to their placement and shape.
step 06
Refine the lines and add more hatching to deepen the shadows and create a sense of depth.
step 07
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments to proportions or shading.

color palette

primary · black · sepia

secondary · light yellow

The drawing primarily uses black or sepia ink. The paper provides the light value.

techniques

·cross-hatching
·contour drawing
·line weight variation
·implied texture

common pitfalls

→Overworking the hatching and losing the sense of light and air.
→Failing to establish accurate proportions in the initial sketch.
→Making lines too uniform and lacking variation in weight and direction.
→Not observing the subtle shifts in value that create form.

materials

surface · sketchbook paper

required

·sketchbook
·graphite pencil
·pen (fine liner or ballpoint)
·eraser
·paper

optional

·ruler
·kneaded eraser

Experiment with different types of pens and paper to achieve different effects.

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