plate no. 0673
Self-portrait
Gentile Bellini, 1496
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in rendering form with value and understanding the proportions of the human face. It also provides practice in creating subtle gradations of tone using chalk or charcoal.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall shape and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the main planes of the face and body with light, broad strokes.
- step 03
Refine the contours of the face, paying attention to the angles and curves.
- step 04
Begin to build up the values, starting with the darkest areas.
- step 05
Add details such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using careful observation.
- step 06
Develop the hair, using flowing lines to suggest its texture and form.
- step 07
Refine the clothing and background, adding subtle variations in tone.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · ivory black
secondary · sepia
Vary pressure and layering to achieve different shades of gray. Use sepia for subtle warm tones.
techniques
- ·Hatching and cross-hatching
- ·Blending with a tortillon or finger
- ·Eraser lifting for highlights
- ·Value shading
- ·Contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Getting bogged down in details before establishing the overall form.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the face.
materials
surface · toned drawing paper
required
- ·Charcoal pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump (tortillon)
- ·Drawing paper (toned or off-white)
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·White chalk pencil
- ·Sandpaper block for sharpening
Choose a paper with a slightly textured surface to allow for better blending and layering of charcoal.
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