plate no. 0395
Woman's Head (Emily L. Prahova)
Mikhail Vrubel, 1884
some experience helpful
Recreating this sketch will help students develop skills in portrait drawing, including proportion, shading, and capturing subtle expressions. It also introduces the use of limited color to highlight specific areas.
technical profile
palette complexity
2
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the head and facial features, paying attention to proportions.
- step 02
Refine the sketch, adding details to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 03
Begin shading with a pencil, focusing on areas of shadow to create depth.
- step 04
Use cross-hatching to build up darker values in the hair and under the chin.
- step 05
Mix a reddish-brown color for the head covering.
- step 06
Apply the reddish-brown color to the head covering, blending it slightly.
- step 07
Add a touch of a lighter, ochre color to the head covering to suggest highlights.
- step 08
Refine the overall sketch, adding any final details or adjustments.
color palette
primary · reddish-brown · ochre · graphite
secondary · paper background color
Mix the reddish-brown by combining a red earth pigment (like Venetian Red) with a touch of brown. Add white to create the ochre highlight.
techniques
- ·sketching
- ·shading
- ·cross-hatching
- ·limited palette
- ·blending
common pitfalls
- →Incorrect proportions of facial features.
- →Overworking the shading, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Using too much color, overpowering the sketch.
- →Failing to capture the subtle expression of the subject.
materials
surface · sketch paper
required
- ·Sketch paper
- ·Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B)
- ·Reddish-brown oil paint
- ·Ochre oil paint
- ·Small round brush
- ·Palette
- ·Odorless mineral spirits
optional
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stump
- ·Palette knife
Use a smooth sketch paper for best results. A variety of graphite pencils will allow for a wider range of values.
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