Study of a female head
1778
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1778
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
This sketch shows a woman’s head turned slightly to the side, her eyes closed. Her hair is drawn in loose, flowing lines, and a soft cloth drapes over her shoulders. The drawing is made with quick, light strokes—no heavy shading, just faint lines that suggest shape and shadow. The artist used a simple technique to build up tones, layering lines to create depth. It looks like they worked fast, capturing the shape more than the details. Check out cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with layered lines.
