plate no. 3521
Self Portrait in Cliché-verre
Bruno Schulz, 1922
experienced study
Recreating this image will help students understand cross-hatching techniques for creating value and texture. It also provides practice in capturing expressive facial features and conveying a sense of drama.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
5
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes and composition, focusing on the placement of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas using dense cross-hatching.
- step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones with lighter, less frequent hatching.
- step 04
Pay close attention to the direction of the lines to suggest form and texture.
- step 05
Refine the facial features, using varying line weights to create depth and expression.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and the plate, maintaining the overall style.
- step 07
Evaluate the balance of light and dark, adjusting the hatching as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to enhance the sense of depth and drama.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary · gray
Varying the density and layering of black lines on a white surface creates different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·cross-hatching
- ·line weight variation
- ·value shading
- ·contour drawing
- ·rendering form
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the hatching, resulting in a flat, lifeless image.
- →Ignoring the direction of the lines, leading to a lack of form and texture.
- →Neglecting the importance of negative space, creating a cluttered composition.
- →Failing to capture the expressive qualities of the facial features.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·drawing paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·eraser
- ·sharpener
- ·ruler
- ·kneaded eraser
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of pencil grades to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different hatching techniques to find what works best.
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