plate no. 6740
Study of the Head of a Young Mulatto Woman
Frederick Sandys, 1859
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in rendering form with subtle tonal variations and capturing the texture of hair using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape of the head and hair.
- step 02
Establish the main proportions of the face, paying attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Begin shading the face, building up the values gradually with light, overlapping strokes.
- step 04
Focus on creating the form of the face using highlights and shadows.
- step 05
Render the hair, using a variety of strokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth to bring the portrait to life.
- step 07
Refine the overall drawing, adjusting values and adding details as needed.
- step 08
Add the artist's signature.
color palette
primary · graphite · charcoal · white chalk
secondary · light pink · brown
Use blending to create smooth transitions between values. Lightly layer graphite and charcoal to build up darker tones.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·tonal shading
- ·rendering form
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions
- →Creating harsh lines instead of smooth transitions
- →Not capturing the texture of the hair
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value
materials
surface · smooth drawing paper
required
- ·sketch paper
- ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·charcoal pencils
- ·white chalk pencil
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stumps
optional
- ·tortillon
- ·chamois cloth
- ·fixative spray
Use a variety of pencil grades to create a full range of values. Keep your pencils sharp for fine details.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
related guides
in this vein
related artworks
Romantic Landscape
Karl Lessing
Self-portrait with his brother Francesco
Giuseppe Tominz
Oenone Refuse de Secourir Pâris au Siège de Troie
Léon Cogniet
Duke of Alba
Francisco Goya
Blick Aus Dem Wald Ins Tal
Andreas Achenbach
Young Girl Fixing Her Hair
Sophie Gengembre Anderson
The Plough Inn
William Shayer
Hudson River Landscape
Johann Hermann Carmiencke