plate no. 3707

Victor Hugo

lithographyRealismportraitportraitfiguremanclothingchair

some experience helpful

This artwork is a great exercise in understanding value and shading to create form. Students can learn about creating subtle gradients and using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, focusing on proportions and placement.
step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the portrait, such as the hair and jacket, using a dark pencil or ink.
step 03
Begin building up the mid-tones using hatching and cross-hatching techniques.
step 04
Pay close attention to the direction of the light source and how it affects the shadows.
step 05
Use a blending stump or tortillon to soften some of the transitions between values.
step 06
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using a sharp pencil.
step 07
Refine the highlights and shadows to create a sense of depth and realism.
step 08
Add the background and any remaining details.