plate no. 4200
After the Concert Portrait of Nadezhda Zabela
Mikhail Vrubel, 1905
experienced study
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in expressive mark-making, capturing light and shadow with charcoal and pastel, and creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through loose, suggestive brushstrokes.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
5
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the figure's pose and the placement of key elements like the fireplace.
- step 02
Establish the darkest values using charcoal, paying attention to the shadows on the figure and in the background.
- step 03
Begin adding mid-tones with charcoal, gradually building up the form and volume of the figure and the surrounding objects.
- step 04
Introduce pastel colors to add warmth and highlights, focusing on the face, dress, and the fire in the fireplace.
- step 05
Use short, expressive strokes to create texture and movement, varying the pressure and direction of your marks.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 07
Add final details and highlights to enhance the overall effect, paying attention to the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
- step 08
Step back and assess the painting, making any necessary adjustments to improve the composition, color balance, and overall impact.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ivory black · raw sienna
secondary · red ochre · yellow ochre · titanium white
Achieve the muted tones by mixing the primary colors with white and small amounts of the secondary colors. Use red and yellow ochre to create the warmth of the fire and the highlights on the dress.
techniques
- ·charcoal blending
- ·pastel layering
- ·expressive mark-making
- ·scumbling
- ·hatching
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
- →Creating muddy colors by over-blending.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·charcoal pencils (soft, medium, hard)
- ·pastel sticks (various colors)
- ·stretched canvas
- ·fixative spray
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·paper towels
- ·blending stumps
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·workable fixative
- ·toned paper
Use a canvas with a slightly textured surface to better grip the charcoal and pastel. Consider using toned paper for a quicker start.
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