Unique & Obscure

A COMPARATIVE LOOK
AT
ACADEMIC TECHNIQUE


 
Unique
Let's take a look at an example of French academic figure drawing.
In this drawing by an anonymous artist, and its detail below, we can find the many shared traits with Prud'hon's drawings. (Ignore the fact that the chalk is red -- we can still find the common traits of academies)

The shared traits are:

 




Compare to this drawing by Prud'hon:

The difference is:
 

Obscure
If it was only hatching that was employed in his drawing, analysis would not be so difficult. However, due to the extensive stumping in his drawings, we are left with questions about early application prior to the final hatching.

The pattern of hatch direction that Prud'hon used is quite sophisticated. Managing the colliding groups that invariably result is very tricky. There is no written record of the thinking process that Prud'hon used in making his application decisions. Through close observation, certain "rules" have begun to surface, but there is no assurance that Prud'hon would agree with them.


 
 
  Next Page: Observations: Prud'hon's Materials
Updates | Discovering Prud'hon: Introduction to a Lesson on Technique | Why Is His Drawing Unique & Obscure? | Observations: Prud'hon's Materials | Discussion: Modern Materials | How to Make Your Own Better Black Chalks | Supply List: Black and White Chalk on Blue Paper | Observations: Parameters of Technique | Theory: Best Guess at Prud'hon's Step by Step Approach | Demonstration: Step 1 -- Outline | Demonstration: Step 2 -- Bold Hatching | Demonstration: Step 3 -- Stump Out Hatches | Demonstration: Step 4 -- Hatch White | Demonstration: Step 5 -- Hatch Black | Demonstration: Step 6 -- Lightly Stump | Demonstration: Step 7 -- Apply White Again | Demonstration: Step 8 -- Add Black Again | Demonstration: Step 9 -- Hatch, Tortillon, and Hatch Again | Demonstration: Step 10 -- Finishing Refinements | Demonstration: Steps 1 through 10 -- Visual Summary
 

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Rebecca Alzofon can be e-mailed at
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This page updated July 16, 2003
1999 by Rebecca Alzofon. All rights reserved.