Guided Course: Illustrate a Face Using Chiaroscuro Technique
A guided course by Marco Mazzoni
, Artist and Illustrator
Master chiaroscuro techniques and color layering to create expressive, depth-rich portraits using pencil and color harmony
Explore the transformative power of chiaroscuro in portrait illustration. Begin with a pencil-drawn portrait, then delve into the art of layering nuanced colors to amplify contrast, depth, and emotional resonance. By starting from a chiaroscuro base, you'll master the art of selecting a harmonious color palette using principles like the Itten Circle. Apply the first layer of color to infuse warmth and atmosphere, subtly enhancing the drawing's expressive quality.
Elevate your artwork by adding a second color layer, refining tonal transitions, and spotlighting key elements for a cohesive finish. Final touches include meticulous detail refinement, shadow adjustments, and highlight balancing to achieve a unified composition. Through this guided project, create a richly layered and emotionally engaging portrait that captivates the viewer. Embrace the journey of transforming a simple pencil drawing into a vibrant, soulful piece of art.
What will you learn in this online course?
8 lessons & 10 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (2)
- 284 students
- 8 lessons (40m)
- 10 additional resources (6 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, German, Spanish, Spanish (Latam), French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Create a richly layered pencil portrait that captivates with depth and emotion using chiaroscuro techniques. You'll master selecting harmonious colors, applying nuanced layers, refining tonal transitions, and balancing the composition for an expressive finish.
Who is this online course for?
Aspiring artists, illustrators, and creatives seeking to deepen their understanding of chiaroscuro will find value in exploring expressive portrait techniques. Those eager to enhance their color layering skills and emotional portrayal in art are ideal participants.
Requirements and materials
No extensive prior knowledge is required. Basic necessities include a set of pencils, quality drawing paper, an eraser, and a range of colored pencils. Familiarity with basic drawing techniques is beneficial, enabling you to explore chiaroscuro and color layering effectively.
Reviews
Marco Mazzoni
A guided course by Marco Mazzoni
Marco Mazzoni’s passion for drawing began at the age of five, when he would sketch on any piece of paper he could find while waiting for his father to finish work at the paper mill. Experimenting with the boundaries of fine art has been a passion of Marco’s since he was a student. His artwork tells a compelling story, drawing inspiration from Sardinian mysticism and the plants and animals he sketched as a child.
Marco’s recent achievements include working on an illustrated version of the Hans Christian Andersen classic Poucette for the French publishing house Albin Michel Jeunesse, where he takes the reader on a captivating journey through his use of color and texture. His work is also exhibited in galleries and museums across Europe and North America.
Content
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Guided Course: Illustrate a Face Using Chiaroscuro Technique
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Podcast: The Inner Face: The Portrait as Emotional Space
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Chiaroscuro (Black & White) - Theory
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Chiaroscuro (Black & White) - Practice
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Second Colour Base
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Itten Circle and Optional Choice of Colours
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Applying First Colour
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Applying Second Colour
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Applying Finishing Touches
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Final project
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
Chiaroscuro is a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and shadow to create depth and drama. In portrait drawing, you use it by carefully placing highlights and shadows to emphasize facial features and guide viewer attention.
This course is designed for intermediate artists who already have basic drawing skills and want to deepen their understanding of light, shadow, and color techniques in portraiture.
You will need smooth drawing paper, graphite and colored pencils, a black pencil for backgrounds, and basic blending tools. Optional items include a skull reference for anatomy studies and color charts for palette selection.
You’ll learn how to analyze and apply lighting direction, compose with light and shadow, use black backgrounds, and create mood using both monochrome and color bases to make your portraits more expressive.
The course shows you how to organize values, place highlights and shadows for balance, and use chiaroscuro principles to direct the viewer’s focus within your drawing.
Yes, you’ll learn color layering, blending, and palette selection to achieve natural-looking skin tones and lifelike facial features in your colored pencil portraits.
The course teaches you to use skull structure as a guide for placing accurate facial shadows, improving realism and three-dimensionality in your portrait drawings.
Great course and very informative!
buen profesor, pero el curso es demasiado corto y no le da tiempo a explicar nada sobre el claro oscuro. además me gustaría que hiciera uno sobre la figura humana pintada con lápices de colores.