plate no. 4129
The Portrat of a Girl
Alfred Krupa, 1948
suitable for beginners
This drawing is excellent for learning how to capture likeness and form using simple lines and shading with chalk. It emphasizes observation and simplification of details.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
2
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 3 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape and proportions of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the central axis of the face and lightly mark the placement of the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Refine the shapes of the facial features, paying attention to their unique characteristics.
- step 04
Add details to the hair, using short, directional strokes to indicate volume and texture.
- step 05
Develop the shading, using lighter pressure for highlights and heavier pressure for shadows.
- step 06
Define the clothing and hands with simple lines and minimal shading.
- step 07
Check proportions and adjust as needed.
- step 08
Add final details and refine the overall drawing.
color palette
primary · red chalk
secondary ·
Vary pressure to achieve different values of the red chalk.
techniques
- ·Hatching
- ·Cross-hatching
- ·Contour drawing
- ·Value shading
- ·Line weight variation
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing with too much detail.
- →Getting the proportions wrong early on.
- →Not varying the pressure of the chalk to create depth.
- →Ignoring the direction of the hair growth.
materials
surface · Drawing paper
required
- ·Red chalk
- ·Drawing paper
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Fixative spray
optional
- ·Ruler
- ·Compass
Use a paper with a slightly textured surface to better grip the chalk.
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