plate no. 0313
The son Edoardo
some experience helpful
Recreating this sketch will help students develop skills in capturing likeness and using value to define form. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and shadow with simple pencil strokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall shape of the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the basic proportions of the face: eyes, nose, mouth.
- step 03
Refine the contours of the face and hair, paying attention to angles and curves.
- step 04
Begin adding shadows with light, hatched lines, focusing on the areas under the brow, nose, and chin.
- step 05
Gradually build up the darker areas of shadow with denser hatching and cross-hatching.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend values where necessary to create a sense of form.
- step 07
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth to capture the likeness of the subject.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall composition and values to achieve a balanced and expressive sketch.
color palette
primary · graphite gray · paper beige
secondary ·
Vary pencil pressure to achieve different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·contour drawing
- ·value shading
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Failing to establish accurate proportions early on.
- →Creating overly harsh or dark shadows.
- →Ignoring the subtle variations in value that define form.
materials
surface · Sketch paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Sketch paper
- ·Eraser
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump
optional
- ·Ruler
- ·Drawing board
Use a smooth paper for easier blending. Experiment with different grades of graphite pencils to achieve a range of values.
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