plate no. 7952
Study of a Woman, possibly Maria Salviati
Jacopo Pontormo, 1543
some experience helpful
This drawing focuses on developing skills in accurate proportion, subtle shading, and capturing the likeness of a subject. Recreating it will improve understanding of form and volume through tonal variations.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall proportions and pose of the figure.
- step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the head, shoulders, and clothing.
- step 03
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 04
Add details to the hair and clothing, including folds and textures.
- step 05
Begin shading, starting with the darkest areas and gradually building up the lighter tones.
- step 06
Use hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and dimension.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend tones where necessary to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the drawing.
color palette
primary · charcoal grey · sepia
secondary · ivory
Vary the pressure of the charcoal to achieve different shades of grey. Use blending to create smooth transitions between tones.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·contour drawing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions early on.
- →Creating harsh lines instead of subtle tonal variations.
- →Not paying attention to the direction of light and shadow.
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·sketch paper
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·ruler
- ·drawing board
Use a variety of charcoal pencils to achieve different tonal values. A kneaded eraser is essential for lifting charcoal and creating highlights.
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