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home·artworks·Victor Dourlen
Victor Dourlen by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

plate no. 5317

Victor Dourlen

Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

oilNeoclassicismportraitportraitfigurecityscapebuildinghairclothing
suitable for beginners

Recreating this drawing will help students develop skills in accurate proportion, shading techniques using hatching and cross-hatching, and capturing likeness in portraiture.

technical profile

palette complexity
1
brushwork visibility
2
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3

study guide

est. 10 hrs

approach — 8 steps

  1. step 01

    Begin with a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement of the figure and background elements.

  2. step 02

    Refine the sketch, paying close attention to the facial features and the folds of the clothing.

  3. step 03

    Start adding shading using light pencil strokes, building up darker areas gradually.

  4. step 04

    Use hatching and cross-hatching techniques to create depth and dimension.

  5. step 05

    Focus on the details of the hair, carefully rendering the curls and shadows.

  6. step 06

    Add details to the background cityscape, maintaining a lighter touch than the foreground figure.

  7. step 07

    Review the drawing and make any necessary adjustments to proportions, shading, and details.

  8. step 08

    Erase any unnecessary guidelines and finalize the drawing.

color palette

primary · graphite · white paper

secondary ·

Varying the pressure on the pencil and layering strokes creates different shades of gray.

techniques

  • ·hatching
  • ·cross-hatching
  • ·contour drawing
  • ·value shading
  • ·rendering

common pitfalls

  • →Incorrect proportions can significantly impact the likeness.
  • →Overworking the shading can lead to a muddy or flat appearance.
  • →Neglecting the background details can make the composition feel unbalanced.
  • →Not paying attention to the direction of light can make the form look flat.

materials

surface · drawing paper

required

  • ·graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
  • ·drawing paper
  • ·eraser
  • ·pencil sharpener
  • ·ruler
  • ·kneaded eraser

optional

  • ·tortillon
  • ·blending stump
  • ·drawing board

Use a smooth paper for easier blending and a variety of pencils for different values.

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related guides

oil painting for beginners →how to learn by studying the masters →
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