Draped linen folds

A study of draped linen with overlapping folds, curved hems, and visible woven texture on textured paper. Map the tallest ridge, the front wave, and the two curled edges. Treat the cloth as one continuous surface before drawing any weave.

A way into the drawing

1. Find the main folds

   Map the tallest ridge, the front wave, and the two curled edges. Treat the cloth as one continuous surface before drawing any weave.

2. Separate light and shadow

   Shade the deep valleys and undersides of turned hems first. Keep the upper ridges light and use gradual graphite transitions along rounded folds.

3. Wrap the weave around the cloth

   Add short crossing strokes that change direction with each fold. Let texture fade on highlights and avoid drawing every thread with the same darkness.

A small thing to tryFollow each fold with the weave direction, keeping the deepest valleys darker than the upper ridges.