Stage 2: In this stage we are going to be building up the values in the drawing. This means that we need to understand well the planes that make up the forms of the head. Since these forms are going to be applied to our 2D drawing surface we also need to understand how to design the shapes of value we will use to illustrate the planes of the head. Before you begin to push your values you should double and triple check your proportions. Compare the various heights and widths in your drawing to each other starting with the largest one and continuing to the smaller ones.
Worked up the values more but still feels a little weird around the left eye but maybe it’s just me. I think something about the values there and the shape is a bit off.
If there is anything that stands out to you by all means let me know so I can consider any critique as I push this to a close within the next few days.
From Classical Portraiture Techniques & Concepts:
Proportions are close but slightly off as shown at 07:45; the nose is slightly longer than the model's nose which elongates the entire head. Was this intentional or a consequence of a measuring error?
No, however I think he has another course that looks like it goes more in depth with fundamentals/materials when doing a portrait. I don’t own the other one so just a guess there based on the titles of the lessons.
Stephen, thank you for the lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed it. This was basically my first ever pencil portrait (besides the ones I did as a kid :) ).
I might get some harder pencils (I did this one with HB and 4B and a kneaded eraser) and one of those mechanical pencils for the details.
Also, I guess, I used a way too small paper.
I will do some more portraits for fun and training, and then I am going to choose a larger canvas.
Is there a mechanical eraser one could recommend, or are the all the same?
Also, I would appreciate some hints on what to improve for the next portrait? At times I look at the progress or result and think "hey this isnt that bad!" and a few minutes later I feel like "oh dear, the proportions are off, the values arent consistent".
Hi Andre, the mechanical eraser that I recommend is only the Mono-Zero made by Tombow. There are two shapes- cylindrical and chisel- both are useful. As far as making improvement/progress, repetition is key. Not just many heads, but many heads with the same variables- lighting situation, materials, and focusing on the same concepts.
And don't forget- there is 1 more installment for this drawing tutorial on the way. I think that it releases next week.
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Assignment
Stage 2: In this stage we are going to be building up the values in the drawing. This means that we need to understand well the planes that make up the forms of the head. Since these forms are going to be applied to our 2D drawing surface we also need to understand how to design the shapes of value we will use to illustrate the planes of the head. Before you begin to push your values you should double and triple check your proportions. Compare the various heights and widths in your drawing to each other starting with the largest one and continuing to the smaller ones.