plate no. 7386

Sketch-Portrait of Louis-Michel-Victor Mercier

graphite, whiteRomanticismportraitportraitfiguremanprofileclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in accurately capturing proportions and using graphite to create subtle tonal variations for form and depth. It also provides practice in rendering textures, such as hair and fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure, paying attention to the angle of the head and shoulders.
step 02
Refine the sketch, focusing on the accuracy of the facial features (nose, lips, eyes) and the shape of the head.
step 03
Begin shading the darkest areas, such as the hair and the shadows under the chin and around the collar.
step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones, using light pressure to create smooth transitions between light and dark areas.
step 05
Use a blending stump or tortillon to soften the shading and create a more subtle effect.
step 06
Add highlights using a kneaded eraser to lift graphite from the paper.
step 07
Refine the details of the clothing and background, paying attention to the direction of the light and shadow.
step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to create a cohesive and realistic portrait.