1. Copying a Plaster Cast

2. Sight-Size Demonstration
Step 1
An assortment of drawing
supplies, including vine
charcoal, sanding
board, stumps, kneaded eraser, and
white charcoal.

3. Step 2
Hold a plumb line horizontally while
standing a measured distance from the
plaster cast and the drawing surface.

4. Step 3
Prepare the drawing surface with
three horizontal lines and one vertical
line that will help draw the plaster cast
exactly the same size as it appears
from a measured distance.

5. Step 4
After dropping a plumb line, use a rule
to draw a clean vertical line.

6. Step 5
With a plumb line dropped in front of
a view of the plaster cast, draw the
“potato shape” of the cast’s outline.

7. Step 6
Once you are confident in his outline
of the cast, identify the outline of the
shadow shapes.

8. Step 7
Continuing to make all measurements
from a distance, use a line held
horizontally to check the alignment of
the drawing and the plaster cast.

9. Step 8
This photograph shows the artist’s
view of his drawing and the plaster
cast from the measured distance away
from the easel. Note the dark cast
shadows first.

10. Step 9
Because objects need to be drawn and
painted within an environment, you
may use use charcoal to tone the areas
of the paper surrounding his rendering
of the plaster cast.

11. Step 10
Begin to indicate the highlights on the
plaster cast using white charcoal (or
eraser).

12. Step 11
A comparison of the finished charcoal
drawing and the actual plaster cast.

13. THE COMPLETED WORK:
Cast Study, Venus