plate no. 5651
Self-portrait
suitable for beginners
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in proportion, shading, and capturing likeness with a limited palette. It's a good exercise in understanding value and form.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall oval shape of the portrait.
- step 02
Establish the basic proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 03
Sketch in the main features: eyes, nose, mouth, and hair.
- step 04
Begin shading the background with light, even strokes.
- step 05
Add darker values to define the facial features and clothing folds.
- step 06
Refine the details of the hair and clothing.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend values for a smooth transition.
- step 08
Add final highlights to create depth and dimension.
color palette
primary · graphite gray · white
secondary · light brown
Varying pressure and layering of graphite will achieve different shades of gray. Light brown can be used sparingly for subtle warmth.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details too early.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions.
- →Not varying the pressure of the pencil enough to create depth.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·Charcoal pencil
- ·Chamois cloth
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A smooth paper will allow for easier blending.
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