plate no. 7368

E. Lalayan portrait

pastel, paperRealismportraitportraitmansuitfaceprofiletie

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in layering pastel colors to create subtle skin tones and capturing likeness through careful observation of facial features. It also offers practice in rendering fabric textures and patterns.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the portrait's basic shapes and proportions.
step 02
Block in the background with broad strokes of pastel, layering blues, greens, and yellows.
step 03
Establish the basic skin tones using light pinks, yellows, and browns.
step 04
Develop the shadows and highlights on the face to create form.
step 05
Add details to the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying close attention to their shape and placement.
step 06
Render the suit and tie, focusing on the folds and textures of the fabric.
step 07
Refine the overall composition by adjusting values and adding subtle color variations.
step 08
Add final details and highlights to complete the portrait.

color palette

primary · light pink · yellow ochre · ultramarine blue

secondary · burnt umber · sap green · cadmium red light

Mix pinks with white and a touch of red for skin tones. Use ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create dark shades for the suit. Mix greens and yellows for the background.

techniques