plate no. 1989
The Faun Weeps
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in cross-hatching, contour drawing, and understanding of light and shadow to create form. It also provides practice in depicting complex organic shapes and textures.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the faun and baby.
- step 02
Refine the outlines of the figures, paying attention to anatomical details and the flow of lines.
- step 03
Begin adding layers of cross-hatching to establish the basic values and forms.
- step 04
Concentrate on the darker areas, building up the ink density to create depth and volume.
- step 05
Use lighter hatching and contour lines to define the mid-tones and highlights.
- step 06
Add details to the faces, hands, and other focal points.
- step 07
Incorporate the surrounding foliage and fruit, using varying line weights and textures.
- 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.
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