plate no. 8503

Agnes Lamberg, F. Kjellberg

pastelRealismportraitportraitfiguredresschairhairpastel

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice blending pastel colors to create soft transitions and capturing realistic skin tones. It will also improve their understanding of light and shadow on fabric.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and chair.
step 02
Establish the background with broad strokes of grey and blue pastel.
step 03
Block in the main areas of the dress with light yellow pastel, paying attention to the folds and drapery.
step 04
Add darker yellows and oranges to create shadows and volume in the dress.
step 05
Begin building up the skin tones with layers of pink, peach, and cream pastels.
step 06
Refine the features of the face, paying close attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 07
Add details to the chair and background to complete the composition.
step 08
Blend and soften edges as needed to create a cohesive and realistic image.

color palette

primary · yellow · grey · pink · peach

secondary · green · brown · orange

Mix light yellows with white for highlights and darker yellows with orange and brown for shadows in the dress. Achieve skin tones by layering pink, peach, and cream, and adding subtle hints of brown and purple for shadows.

techniques

·pastel blending
·layering
·scumbling
·color mixing
·portraiture

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch.
→Using too much pressure when applying pastel, which can make it difficult to blend.
→Neglecting the subtle color variations in the skin tones.