plate no. 5129
These London boys find a new and healthy way of life in the country, which is in itself an education
Ethel Léontine Gabain, 1940
some experience helpful
Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in rendering figures in a landscape and using hatching and cross-hatching to create value and texture. It also encourages observation of light and shadow in a complex scene.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
2
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures.
- step 02
Establish the horizon line and the general layout of the background elements (trees, foliage).
- step 03
Begin adding details to the figures, starting with the faces and clothing.
- step 04
Use light hatching to create the initial values on the figures and in the background.
- step 05
Gradually build up darker values using cross-hatching, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 06
Add details to the foreground elements, such as the grass and plants.
- step 07
Refine the drawing by adding highlights and shadows, and adjusting the overall value contrast.
- step 08
Add final details and clean up any stray lines.
color palette
primary · black · white
secondary · gray
Varying the pressure and density of pencil strokes creates different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·rendering figures
- ·creating depth
- ·value studies
common pitfalls
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the initial sketch.
- →Ignoring the direction of light and creating inconsistent shadows.
- →Not paying attention to the proportions of the figures.
materials
surface · Smooth drawing paper
required
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Sketchbook or drawing paper
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Ruler
optional
- ·Charcoal pencils
- ·White chalk
Use a variety of pencil grades to achieve a full range of values. Experiment with different hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
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