plate no. 6472

Deluge (I)

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, 1904

pastel, paperSymbolismsymbolic paintingstairsarchitectureskylandscapecityscapestructure

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students practice layering colors with pastels and creating atmospheric perspective. It will also help develop skills in simplifying complex forms into basic shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the stairs, hills, and architectural elements.
step 02
Block in the sky with a base layer of blue pastel, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Establish the main color blocks for the stairs and hills, using yellow, green, and brown pastels.
step 04
Begin layering colors on the stairs to create the effect of light and shadow, focusing on the direction of light.
step 05
Add details to the architectural elements, using darker pastels to define edges and create depth.
step 06
Blend the colors on the hills to create a soft, atmospheric effect.
step 07
Add final details and highlights to the stairs and architectural elements.
step 08
Soften edges and blend colors as needed to achieve a cohesive look.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · green · brown

secondary · purple · orange

Mix yellow and blue for various shades of green. Use purple and orange to create shadows and depth in the stairs and architectural elements.

techniques

·layering pastels
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·color mixing
·soft shading

common pitfalls

→over-blending and losing definition
→using too much pressure and creating a muddy effect
→not paying attention to the direction of light
→getting the perspective of the stairs wrong

materials

surface · pastel paper

required

·pastel set
·pastel paper
·kneaded eraser
·blending stumps
·fixative spray
·soft cloths
·drawing board

optional

·palette knife
·workable fixative
·various sizes of blending stumps

Use a high-quality pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to allow the pastels to adhere well. Consider using a workable fixative to prevent smudging during the layering process.

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