plate no. 4848
The Artists's Mother
Arshile Gorky, 1936
some experience helpful
Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in tonal shading and capturing likeness through careful observation of proportions and subtle value changes. Students will also learn to create soft transitions and define forms using charcoal.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the proportions of the head, shoulders, and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the basic shapes of the face, paying close attention to the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Begin adding mid-tones to the background and the darker areas of the clothing and headscarf.
- step 04
Develop the facial features, gradually building up the values and refining the shapes.
- step 05
Add highlights to the face, headscarf, and clothing to create a sense of depth and form.
- step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle variations in value.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend tones to create a smooth, realistic effect.
- step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve a balanced and harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · ivory black
secondary · light gray · sepia
Vary the pressure and layering of charcoal to achieve different shades of gray. Use blending tools to create smooth transitions between tones.
techniques
- ·tonal shading
- ·blending
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·eraser lifting
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Creating harsh lines and edges instead of soft transitions.
- →Failing to accurately capture the proportions of the face.
- →Not paying enough attention to the subtle variations in value.
materials
surface · drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
required
- ·charcoal pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stumps
- ·drawing paper (smooth or slightly textured)
- ·fixative spray
- ·ruler
- ·pencil sharpener
optional
- ·sandpaper block
- ·chamois cloth
- ·tortillon
Use a variety of charcoal pencils to achieve different values. Experiment with different blending techniques to create smooth transitions.
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