plate no. 7452
Child Drinking Milk
Mary Cassatt, 1868
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, particularly capturing soft light and subtle color variations in skin tones. It also provides practice in rendering the form of a simple object like a bowl.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
3
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the child's head, body, and the bowl.
- step 02
Establish the darkest areas of the background and the shadows on the child's face and clothing.
- step 03
Begin layering in the mid-tones on the skin, using soft pastel strokes.
- step 04
Add highlights to the face, hair, and bowl, paying attention to the direction of light.
- step 05
Develop the colors in the clothing, blending and layering to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
- step 07
Add final touches to the background, blending and softening the edges.
- step 08
Review and adjust the values and colors to achieve a harmonious composition.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · ultramarine blue · sap green · raw umber
Mix skin tones by blending yellow ochre, burnt sienna, and white. Use small amounts of blue and green to create shadows and cool tones. Mix browns with blue to create the dark background.
techniques
- ·soft pastel blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·chiaroscuro
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the pastel and losing the soft, impressionistic feel.
- →Using too much pressure and creating harsh lines.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source.
- →Inaccurate proportions in the initial sketch.
materials
surface · toned pastel paper
required
- ·Soft pastels (assorted colors)
- ·Pastel paper (toned)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stumps or tortillions
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Drawing board
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Workable fixative
- ·Pastel pencils
- ·Easel
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastel. A mid-tone paper will make it easier to establish values.
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