apprentice
artistsserieslearnchatartworkscommunity gallery
apprentice

deliberate practice for serious artists

aboutgalleryprivacyterms
built by reducibl.com
home·artworks·The Reverend Anthony Stephen Mathew
The Reverend Anthony Stephen Mathew by John Flaxman

plate no. 1086

The Reverend Anthony Stephen Mathew

John Flaxman

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfiguremanclothinghairface
some experience helpful

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in value shading, proportion, and capturing likeness. It also provides practice in creating depth using layering and directional strokes.

technical profile

palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the head, neck, and shoulders.

  2. step 02

    Establish the main angles and lines of the face, paying attention to the profile.

  3. step 03

    Begin shading the background with light, even strokes, working around the figure.

  4. step 04

    Start adding darker values to the hair, clothing, and facial features, building up the tones gradually.

  5. step 05

    Refine the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth, using careful observation.

  6. step 06

    Add texture to the hair and clothing using short, directional strokes.

  7. step 07

    Adjust the overall values and contrast to create a sense of depth and form.

  8. step 08

    Add final details and highlights to complete the drawing.

color palette

primary · graphite · white

secondary ·

Vary pressure and layering to achieve different shades of gray.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·blending
  • ·value shading
  • ·directional strokes

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect proportions leading to a distorted likeness.
  • →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
  • →Uneven shading creating a flat or unrealistic appearance.
  • →Neglecting the background and its contribution to the overall composition.

materials

surface · smooth drawing paper

required

  • ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • ·Eraser
  • ·Drawing paper
  • ·Pencil sharpener
  • ·Blending stump

optional

  • ·Kneaded eraser
  • ·Ruler
  • ·Fixative spray

Use a variety of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values. A blending stump can help to smooth out the shading.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
chat about this artwork

in this vein

related artworks

Portrait of Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon working at the bust of Voltaire

Portrait of Sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon working at the bust of Voltaire

Marie-Gabrielle Capet

The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXXI. Temple of Antonius and Faustina.

The Roman antiquities, t. 1, Plate XXXI. Temple of Antonius and Faustina.

Giovanni Battista Piranesi

Portrait of Louis d'Orleans

Portrait of Louis d'Orleans

Franz Xaver Winterhalter

Rooftops in the shadows

Rooftops in the shadows

Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes

The Schmadribach Falls

The Schmadribach Falls

Joseph Anton Koch

A Scene from 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare

A Scene from 'As You Like It' by William Shakespeare

William Hamilton

Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko

Portrait of Klementyna Ostrowska Née Sanguszko

Vincenzo Camuccini

Self-Portrait

Self-Portrait

Anton Raphael Mengs