plate no. 0010
Desejo
Lilian Greisse, 2017
suitable for beginners
Recreating this painting will help students practice blending pastels to create smooth gradients and understand how light and shadow define form. It also provides practice in observing and rendering subtle color variations in a single object.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
5
study guide
est. 4 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the outline of the apple and its shadow.
- step 02
Apply a base layer of dark red pastel to the areas of deepest shadow on the apple.
- step 03
Add layers of progressively lighter reds and oranges to build up the form, blending each layer into the previous one.
- step 04
Use white or light pink pastel to create highlights on the apple's surface.
- step 05
Create the stem with dark brown and black pastel.
- step 06
Use blue and green pastels to create the shadow, blending them together.
- step 07
Soften the edges of the shadow with a blending stump or finger.
- step 08
Add final details and adjust values as needed.
color palette
primary · red · orange · white
secondary · blue · green · brown
Mix reds and oranges to create the various shades of the apple. Use white to create highlights and lighten the colors. Mix blue and green for the shadow, adding a touch of brown for depth.
techniques
- ·pastel blending
- ·layering
- ·value gradation
- ·soft edge control
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source, leading to inconsistent shadows.
- →Using too much pressure, which can make the pastel difficult to blend.
- →Not using fixative, which can cause the pastel to smudge.
materials
surface · Pastel paper
required
- ·Soft pastels (reds, oranges, white, blues, greens, browns)
- ·Pastel paper
- ·Blending stump or tortillon
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Pencil
optional
- ·Workable fixative
- ·Easel
- ·Ruler
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to help the pastel adhere. Use workable fixative between layers to prevent over-blending.
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