With this figure’s layered clothing, it can be challenging to place the features and proportions correctly. Before sketching the sleeves, lightly sketch the arms and then add the sleeves over the arms. The body is forward on the left, so the figure is slightly off from being symmetrical.
The light source is coming from the upper left, causing the right side of the dress to be darker than the left side. Because of the fullness of the bell of the dress, it has the appearance of drapery material.
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
Using a 2B pencil, sketch two horizontal lines, one for where the feet would rest underneath the dress and another horizontal line for the top of the head underneath the hat. Sketch a vertical line to keep the form balanced. Add a horizontal line at the center, halfway from top to bottom. Sketch another horizontal line for the placement of the chin to establish the head height. Remember, the height of the entire figure is seven-and-a-half heads. See Chapter 2 for more info on head height and proportions.
Continuing with a 2B pencil, sketch an oval for the shape of the head. To form the torso, sketch lines for the shoulders and sides along with a line for the waist. Add a curved line slightly below the feet for the bottom hem of the dress.
To start forming the dress, sketch the upper portions of the sleeves and collar. To ensure accuracy, roughly sketch the body form such as the arms under the clothes. Place the hands with ovals. Add short vertical lines to the bottom hem of the dress to establish its width.
Continuing with a 2B pencil, sketch the form of the lower sleeves, the sides of the lower portion of the dress and the curve of the hat brim.
Add the structural details to the hat and sleeves. Add the shirt collar and lapels to the jacket and the outer form of the hair. Add lines for the placement of facial features and lines for the fingers.
Add more details to the dress, hat and face and develop the overall form, including the hands.
With a 2B pencil, continue adding details and refining the form. Erase unwanted lines if working directly on the drawing paper. Trace or transfer the image onto drawing paper if you are working on sketch paper.
With a 2B pencil, add the light values to the drawing.
Build up the pencil lines to add the middle values with a 2B pencil. The right side of the figure is darker than the left side because the light is coming from the upper left.
Using 2B and 6B pencils, add darks throughout the drawing and give depth to the form in areas such as the folds.
Woman in a Victorian Dress
Graphite pencil on drawing paper
12" × 9" (30cm × 23cm)
Add details to the face, hands, gloves and clothes by darkening the shadowed areas with 2B and 6B pencils. Lighten highlight areas by removing graphite with the kneaded eraser. Sign the front and write the date on the back of your completed drawing.