Girl Reading a Book

The light source for this scene is coming from the upper right, casting a shadow from the figure to the lower left. The figure is in perspective with the viewer looking slightly down at a three-quarter view at the girl. A child’s proportions are different from an adult’s proportions. Notice that her head is larger in comparison to the body.

Materials

Paper: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture drawing paper

Pencils: 2B graphite, 6B graphite

Other Supplies: kneaded eraser

Optional Supplies: 12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm) medium-texture sketch paper, lightbox or transfer paper

Related Interests

STEP 1: Begin Placing the Basic Proportions

With a 2B pencil, sketch horizontal lines for the placement of the top of the head, lower knee, chin and distant forearm. Sketch vertical lines for the width of the head, lines for the width of the arms and a line for the distant knee.

STEP 2: Add the Head, Shoulders, Arms and Knees

Sketch the basic forms of the head, shoulders, arms and circles for the knees.

STEP 3: Sketch the Legs and Book

Continuing with a 2B pencil, sketch the basic forms of the legs around the knees and angled lines for the foundational form of the book.

STEP 4: Sketch the Hair, Hands, Foot and Clothes

Sketch the forms of the hair, hands and foot. Sketch the basic forms of the clothes.

STEP 5: Sketch Placement Lines for the Face, Fingers, Toes, Clothes and Book

Sketch lines for the placement of the facial features, fingers and toes. Sketch lines for the folds of the clothing and the book and its pages.

STEP 6: Refine the Form and Add the Details

Refine the overall form and add the details including the facial features.

STEP 7: Add More Details and Erase Unwanted Lines or Transfer the Sketch

With a 2B pencil, add more details to the hair and folds. Erase any unwanted lines if working directly on the drawing paper. If you used sketch paper for your structural sketch, trace or transfer the image onto drawing paper omitting any unwanted lines.

STEP 8: Add the Lighter Values

With a 2B pencil, add the lighter values. For this drawing, the only areas to be kept white are the sides of the pages of the book.

STEP 9: Add the Middle Values

Gradually darken the contours of the figure by adding the middle values.

STEP 10: Add the Dark Values

With a 6B pencil, begin to add the dark regions such as the recesses of the folds and other shadowed areas.

Reading Time

Graphite pencil on drawing paper

12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm)

STEP 11: Add the Details and Make Adjustments

Add final darks, details and adjustments with 2B and 6B pencils. Use a kneaded eraser to lighten any areas that need adjusting, including highlights to the hair and clothes. Sign the front of the drawing and write the date on the back.