plate no. 1643
Self-portrait
Sarah Purser, 1878
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in hatching, cross-hatching, and capturing likeness through careful observation of values and proportions. It also provides practice in creating texture and form with simple line work.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions of the head, shoulders, and hat.
- step 02
Establish the main shapes and contours of the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Begin adding darker values in areas of shadow, using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
- step 04
Develop the details of the hat and clothing, focusing on the folds and textures.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, adding subtle details to capture the likeness.
- step 06
Adjust the values and contrast to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add final details and clean up any stray lines.
- step 08
Step back and assess the overall composition, making any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · graphite gray · white
secondary ·
Vary the pressure and density of graphite to create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·contour drawing
- ·value shading
- ·line weight variation
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the lines.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions early on.
- →Not varying the line weight to create depth and interest.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value that define the form.
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·drawing paper
- ·eraser
- ·pencil sharpener
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·ruler
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·blending stump
- ·drawing board
Use a smooth or slightly textured drawing paper for best results. Experiment with different graphite pencils to achieve a range of values.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
related artworks
Nesebar
Felix Philipp Kanitz
View of the city of Nettuno at dawn with fishing boats
Giovanni (Nino) Costa
Koriten Fortress
Felix Philipp Kanitz
A London Jo - the End of the Day
Augustus Edwin Mulready
Chestnut trees in the autumn in Antagnes, Switzerland
Hubertine Heijermans
The Blue Hat (Kathleen Kearney)
Sarah Purser
Turf Barge at Leeson Street Bridge
Sarah Purser
Avenue of Indian Rubber Trees at Peradeniya, Ceylon
Marianne North