plate no. 0843
Self-Portrait II
M.C. Escher, 1943
experienced study
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in tonal shading, creating realistic textures, and understanding reflected light. It also provides practice in capturing accurate proportions and details in portraiture.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 20 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic circular shape of the mirror and the overall proportions of the face within it.
- step 02
Establish the main light and shadow areas with light pencil strokes.
- step 03
Begin building up darker tones in the shadowed areas, using cross-hatching or blending techniques.
- step 04
Focus on rendering the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Add texture to the skin and beard using short, controlled strokes.
- step 06
Refine the details of the mirror frame, ensuring accurate shading to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Gradually build up the mid-tones to create smooth transitions between light and shadow.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to enhance the realism of the portrait.
color palette
primary · graphite · white (paper)
secondary ·
Varying pressure on the pencil and layering graphite will create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·rendering texture
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing detail
- →Inaccurate proportions
- →Uneven shading
- →Ignoring subtle value changes
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Blending stump
- ·Pencil sharpener
optional
- ·Ruler
- ·Compass
- ·Fixative spray
Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A blending stump can help smooth out the shading.
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