plate no. 3067
Untitled (Portrait)
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in simplifying complex forms into geometric shapes and understanding value relationships in a limited palette. It also encourages experimentation with line quality and shading techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic geometric shapes that define the background and the figure's pose.
- step 02
Refine the figure's outline, paying attention to the angularity of the limbs and torso.
- step 03
Add the hanging sphere and its connecting line.
- step 04
Begin shading the background and figure, using hatching and cross-hatching to build up value.
- step 05
Focus on creating a sense of depth by varying the darkness of the shading in different areas.
- step 06
Define the edges of the geometric shapes and the figure with darker lines.
- step 07
Add subtle details to the figure's face and hands.
- step 08
Review and adjust the overall balance of light and dark in the composition.
color palette
primary · charcoal gray · white
secondary · light gray
Varying pressure and layering of charcoal will create different shades of gray.
techniques
- ·hatching
- ·cross-hatching
- ·blending
- ·line variation
- ·geometric abstraction
common pitfalls
- →Overcomplicating the shapes
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure
- →Using lines that are too uniform
- →Not varying the pressure when applying charcoal
materials
surface · drawing paper
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·drawing paper
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
optional
- ·ruler
- ·tortillon
Use a smooth or slightly textured paper for best results. Consider using a charcoal pencil sharpener.
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