Young Man Reclining

Soft lighting is falling on this subject from the upper right. The patterns of the shirt follow the contours of the folds.

Materials

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

Pencils: 2B graphite

Other Supplies: kneaded eraser

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

Related Interests

STEP 1: Place the Basic Proportions

Using a 2B pencil, sketch horizontal lines for the lower hip and top of the head. Sketch vertical lines for the placement of the back and tip of the foot. Notice that this proportion is about one and a half the distance from the lower hip to the top of the head. Add a horizontal line just below the hip line as the resting place for the heel of the boot, and add another line for the placement of the lower jaw.

STEP 2: Sketch the Head, Back, Hip, Knee, Heel and a Line for the Hand

Sketch the shape of the head and a curved line for the back. Add circles for the hip, closest knee and heel. Sketch a short horizontal line for the placement of the fingertips.

STEP 3: Sketch the Arm, Leg and Foot

Continuing with a 2B pencil, sketch the shape of the arm with the shirt sleeve. Add the shape of the leg including the pants along with the back shape of the foot with the boot.

STEP 4: Sketch the Torso, Back Leg, Feet and Hands

Sketch a diagonal line for the front of the torso. Add more diagonal lines for the form of the back of the leg and to help align the top of the knee with the chin. Sketch the visible shape of the back foot attached to the back leg. Round off the shape of the boot. Sketch the forms of the hands.

STEP 5: Develop the Face and Hands

Develop the facial features including the ear as well as the hands.

STEP 6: Add the Details and Refine the Forms

Start adding the details throughout the figure including the folds and refine the forms.

STEP 7: Erase Unwanted Lines or Transfer the Image and Add the Pattern to the Shirt

Erase unwanted lines if working directly on the drawing paper. If you are working on sketch paper, trace or transfer the image onto drawing paper absent any unwanted lines. Start adding the parallel lines that make up the pattern of the shirt.

STEP 8: Continue Adding the Pattern to the Shirt

Add parallel lines that cross the previous lines for the pattern of the shirt. Continue using a 2B pencil to shade in the pattern of the shirt.

STEP 9: Add the Lighter Values Throughout

With a 2B pencil, add the lighter values to the hat, face, arm, hands, pants and boots.

STEP 10: Add the Middle Values

Begin adding the middle values to places such as the folds.

STEP 11: Add the Middle and Dark Values

Add more middle values along with dark values throughout the figure including the shadowed areas using a 2B pencil.

Alex

Graphite pencil on drawing paper

9" × 12" (23cm × 30cm)

STEP 12: Add the Details and Make Adjustments

Add the darks and details throughout, including the cast shadows under the figure. Lighten as needed with a kneaded eraser, including the highlights to the clothes. Sign the front and write the date on the back of the drawing with a 2B pencil.