Self-Portrait by Francis Picabia

plate no. 5595

Self-Portrait

Francis Picabia, 1923

ink, paperExpressionismself-portraitportraitfiguremanhairclothingtie

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape and proportions of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Establish the main features: eyes, nose, mouth, and hairline.
step 03
Refine the facial features, paying attention to their unique characteristics.
step 04
Add details to the hair, using varied line weights to create texture.
step 05
Sketch the outline of the suit and tie.
step 06
Begin shading the face, using hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and form.
step 07
Add shading to the hair and clothing, following the light source.
step 08
Refine the details and add any final touches.

color palette

primary · black · sepia

secondary · cream · light brown

Vary the intensity of the black by diluting the ink with water to create different shades of gray. Mix a small amount of sepia with the black to warm up the tones.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·line weight variation
·contour drawing
·value shading

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early in the process.
→Failing to establish accurate proportions before adding details.
→Using a uniform line weight throughout the drawing.
→Not paying attention to the direction of the light source.

materials

surface · Drawing paper

required

·Drawing paper
·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
·Eraser
·Fine liner pen
·Sepia ink
·Small brush
·Water

optional

·Blending stump
·Kneaded eraser
·Ruler

Use a smooth drawing paper for best results. Experiment with different line weights and shading techniques to achieve the desired effect.

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