plate no. 3100
Unfinished portrait. Dad
Alfred Freddy Krupa, 2007
some experience helpful
This drawing provides a good exercise in capturing likeness and understanding basic facial proportions. Students will practice rendering form with subtle value changes using pencil.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
1
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the overall head shape and basic proportions (eyes, nose, mouth).
- step 02
Refine the outline of the head and facial features, paying attention to accuracy.
- step 03
Begin shading the darker areas, such as around the eyes and under the nose.
- step 04
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending smoothly to create form.
- step 05
Add details like wrinkles and hair texture.
- step 06
Strengthen the darkest values to create contrast.
- step 07
Soften edges where needed for a more natural look.
- step 08
Make final adjustments to proportions and values.
color palette
primary · graphite · paper color
secondary ·
Vary pencil pressure to achieve different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·contour drawing
- ·value shading
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions leading to inaccurate likeness.
- →Overworking the drawing and losing the freshness of the sketch.
- →Uneven shading and lack of smooth transitions.
- →Ignoring the subtle value changes that define form.
materials
surface · Sketch paper
required
- ·Sketch paper
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Eraser
- ·Pencil sharpener
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
optional
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Ruler
- ·Fixative spray
Use a smooth paper for easier blending. Experiment with different grades of graphite pencils to achieve a full range of values.
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