plate no. 4455

Autumn Leaves

Tetyana Yablonska, 2004

pastel, paperImpressionismstill lifestill lifeleavesvasebrancheswindowtable

some experience helpful

Recreating this pastel painting will help students develop skills in layering colors, creating soft edges, and capturing light and shadow with expressive strokes. It also provides practice in simplifying complex forms and focusing on the overall impression of the subject.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the vase, leaves, and background.
step 02
Apply a base layer of light yellow pastel across the entire background.
step 03
Add darker shades of green and yellow to define the vase and table.
step 04
Use short, broken strokes to build up the form of the leaves, varying the pressure for different values.
step 05
Add thin, dark lines to represent the branches.
step 06
Layer lighter pastel colors on top to create highlights and a sense of depth.
step 07
Soften edges by gently blending with a finger or blending stump.
step 08
Add final details and highlights with white and light yellow pastel.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · olive green · white

secondary · burnt sienna · light blue · dark green

Achieve the various shades of green by mixing yellow ochre with olive green and small amounts of burnt sienna. Use white to create highlights and lighten the overall color palette.

techniques

·layering
·blending
·broken strokes
·scumbling
·soft edges

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Using too much pressure, which can make the pastel look heavy.
→Neglecting the background, which is essential for creating depth.
→Failing to vary the stroke direction, which can make the painting look flat.

materials

surface · pastel paper (toned)

required

·Pastel set (soft pastels)
·Pastel paper (toned)
·Blending stump
·Kneaded eraser
·Fixative spray
·Drawing board
·Paper towels

optional

·Workable fixative
·Easel
·Palette for pastels

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to grip the pastel. A toned paper will help to unify the colors and create a more harmonious effect.

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