plate no. 1281

Spherical Self Portrait

M.C. Escher, 1950

oilSurrealismself-portraitself-portraitinteriorspheredeskwindowfigure

experienced study

Recreating this image will help students develop skills in linework, hatching, and creating the illusion of three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface. It will also challenge their understanding of perspective and spatial relationships within a complex composition.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 15 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Begin with a light sketch of the overall spherical shape and the central figure.
step 02
Establish the main lines of the room's interior, paying close attention to the distorted perspective.
step 03
Outline the major elements within the sphere, such as the window, desk, and bookshelves.
step 04
Start adding the linework, focusing on the direction and density of the lines to create value and form.
step 05
Use hatching and cross-hatching techniques to build up darker areas and define shadows.
step 06
Pay close attention to the details of the figure, including the hands, face, and clothing.
step 07
Refine the linework and add any final details to enhance the overall composition.
step 08
Erase any visible sketch lines and clean up the edges of the sphere.

color palette

primary · black · white

secondary ·

This artwork relies solely on the contrast between black and white, achieved through varying the density and direction of lines.

techniques

·hatching
·cross-hatching
·linework
·perspective
·contour drawing

common pitfalls

→Failing to accurately capture the distorted perspective of the sphere.
→Creating lines that are too uniform or lack variation in thickness and direction.
→Overcomplicating the linework and losing the overall form.
→Neglecting the importance of negative space in defining shapes and forms.