plate no. 3240
Ester Sihtola
Eero Järnefelt, 1934
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering skin tones, as well as understanding how to depict fabric and drapery with soft pastel techniques.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, paying attention to the overall composition.
- step 02
Establish the background color with broad strokes of pastel, blending gently.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of color for the skin, clothing, and shawl, focusing on the overall value structure.
- step 04
Begin to refine the facial features, paying close attention to the light and shadow on the face.
- step 05
Develop the folds and drapery of the shawl, using a variety of pastel strokes to create texture and depth.
- step 06
Add details to the clothing and jewelry, such as the gold necklace and the small embroidered details on the shawl.
- step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure, softening some areas and sharpening others to create a sense of depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall realism and mood of the portrait.
color palette
primary · sky blue · ivory · raw umber
secondary · rose madder · gold ochre · payne's grey
Skin tones are achieved by layering ivory, rose madder, and raw umber. The background is a mix of sky blue and payne's grey, with subtle variations in value.
techniques
- ·soft pastel blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·hatching
- ·portraiture
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions in the initial sketch, leading to inaccuracies in the final portrait.
- →Neglecting the subtle variations in skin tone, resulting in a flat or unrealistic appearance.
- →Failing to establish a clear light source, which can make the portrait look confusing and unnatural.
materials
surface · Pastel paper (toned)
required
- ·Soft pastels (assorted colors)
- ·Pastel paper (toned)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stumps
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Pencil (for sketching)
- ·Ruler
- ·Workable fixative
optional
- ·Pastel pencils
- ·Sandpaper block
- ·Easel
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastels. A toned paper will help to establish the overall value structure of the portrait.
tips & new artworks in your inbox
no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
or to save artworks, chat, and track progress
in this vein
