plate no. 2669
The Displacement of the Travelling Acrobats
some experience helpful
This painting is a good exercise in capturing figures in motion and creating depth using value. Recreating it will help students understand how to use charcoal or graphite to create a range of tones and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Start with a light sketch to establish the composition and placement of the figures and buildings.
- step 02
Block in the main shapes and forms using light charcoal or graphite.
- step 03
Begin to build up the darker values, focusing on the shadows and areas of contrast.
- step 04
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to their anatomy and expressions.
- step 05
Add texture to the buildings and clothing using different charcoal or graphite techniques.
- step 06
Use a blending stump or your fingers to smooth out some areas and create soft transitions.
- step 07
Add highlights with a kneaded eraser to create a sense of light and form.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to the values and details to complete the drawing.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · ivory black
secondary · white
Varying pressure and blending will create the different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·value shading
- ·erasing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
- →Creating too much contrast too early in the process.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·drawing paper (toned or white)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
- ·ruler
optional
- ·graphite pencils
- ·sandpaper block
Use a paper with some tooth to better grab the charcoal.
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