plate no. 1167
Solidarity
Kathe Kollwitz, 1932
some experience helpful
This drawing will help students develop skills in capturing human form and emotion using charcoal, focusing on value and line variations to create depth and texture. It also encourages expressive mark-making and understanding of anatomy.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the drawing, focusing on the shadows under the chins and around the eyes.
- step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones, paying attention to the direction of the light.
- step 04
Add details to the faces, such as wrinkles and bone structure.
- step 05
Define the clothing and hands with expressive charcoal strokes.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend areas to create a sense of depth.
- step 07
Refine the overall composition and add final touches.
- step 08
Use a kneaded eraser to lift out highlights and correct mistakes.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · white
secondary ·
Vary pressure and layering of charcoal to achieve different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·charcoal blending
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·value shading
- ·expressive mark-making
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the charcoal.
- →Failing to establish a clear value range.
- →Ignoring the underlying anatomy of the figures.
- →Making the lines too uniform and lacking variation.
materials
surface · drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
- ·fixative spray
- ·blending stumps
- ·pencil sharpener
optional
- ·chamois cloth
- ·tortillon
Use a paper with enough tooth to hold the charcoal particles. Experiment with different charcoal grades to achieve a range of values.
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