apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity galleryblog
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

writingsourcesmethodsaboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·The Faun Weeps
The Faun Weeps by Rose O'Neill

plate no. 1989

The Faun Weeps

Rose O'Neill

inkArt Nouveau (Modern)illustrationfaunbabyfiguremythologyfruitfoliage

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the faun and baby.

  2. step 02

    Refine the outlines of the figures, paying attention to anatomical details and the flow of lines.

  3. step 03

    Begin adding layers of cross-hatching to establish the basic values and forms.

  4. step 04

    Concentrate on the darker areas, building up the ink density to create depth and volume.

  5. step 05

    Use lighter hatching and contour lines to define the mid-tones and highlights.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the faces, hands, and other focal points.

  7. step 07

    Incorporate the surrounding foliage and fruit, using varying line weights and textures.

  8. step 08

    Review the drawing and make any necessary adjustments to the values and details.

color palette

primary · sepia · black

secondary · ivory · cream

Vary the ink dilution to create different shades of brown and gray. Use white paper as the highlight.

techniques

  • ·Cross-hatching
  • ·Contour drawing
  • ·Line weight variation
  • ·Stippling
  • ·Hatching

common pitfalls

  • →Overworking the drawing and losing the spontaneity of the lines.
  • →Creating flat, lifeless forms due to a lack of value variation.
  • →Ignoring the importance of negative space in defining the shapes.
  • →Failing to establish a clear focal point.

materials

surface · Smooth drawing paper

required

  • ·Smooth drawing paper
  • ·Fine-tipped ink pens (various sizes)
  • ·Sepia ink
  • ·Black ink
  • ·Pencils (HB, 2B)
  • ·Eraser

optional

  • ·Tracing paper
  • ·Ruler
  • ·Magnifying glass

Experiment with different types of ink and pen nibs to achieve varying line qualities. Consider using a light box for tracing the initial sketch.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to draw →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Kolo Moser

Kolo Moser

Koloman Moser

L'Atelier de Diebold Lauber

L'Atelier de Diebold Lauber

Léo Schnug

Family Gathering in Saint Idesbald

Family Gathering in Saint Idesbald

Georges Lemmen

The Kiss

The Kiss

Rose O'Neill

His grandmother had Told Him (from The Garden of Paradise)

His grandmother had Told Him (from The Garden of Paradise)

Edmund Dulac

Two girls

Two girls

Felice Casorati

Girl with a rose

Girl with a rose

Paul Mathiopoulos

The King

The King

Alexandre Benois