Making A Chiaroscuro Self Portrait Part 1
96
Making A Chiaroscuro Portrait Part 2
267
How to Paint With Acrylics
181
Making A Chiaroscuro Self Portrait Part 1
See more from CBRusso
Get App
Chiaro-Light Scuro-Dark
@CBRusso
 on 
Optional: A Toothy Or Textured Paper, Charcoal/Pastel Is Best
Optional Tools: Vine Charcoal, Charcoal Pencils, Black And White, Blending Stump, Kneaded Eraser, Compressed Charcoal Block (not Pictured)
Desk, Clamp, Or Flashlight
Ruler
Get App
In the dark, shine a small light on your face (variety of ways) to cast shadows, and snap pictures
1
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
On your phone or in Photoshop, make images black and white and enhance the contrast to make choice
2
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Choose your final reference, one that has great and unique shadows cast, then print if possible!
3
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
If you choose a white, gray, or black paper, each option lays down a layer of value for you already!
4
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
If your paper is larger than your photo, trace the size of your photo onto the final paper
5
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Scaling your sketch
6
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Placing your features
7
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
*vertical
8
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Throw in your contour line drawing (recognize actual and implied lines)
9
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
It is really tempting to erase and correct here, but get the whole thing sketched in before tweaking
10
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
With a lot of info, it makes more sense to compare parts at this stage, THEN erase and tweak
11
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Begin throwing in your hard and soft edged values, dance your materials back and forth to fine tune
12
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
The more layers you add, the easier to blend but also the more permanent the placement, so be sure!
13
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
Adjusting should not be a point of frustration, it is a part of the process!
14
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
End of part 1 demo: Broad values. Coming soon: specific values to the fine details
15
@CBRusso
 on 
Get App
P.S. It doesn't look like me yet...but it will! Part two coming soon! (older self portait shown)
16
@CBRusso
 on 
Making A Chiaroscuro Portrait Part 2
How to Paint With Acrylics
How To Front Post Treble Crochet
How To Create Your First Jumprope
Made with Jumprope