plate no. 0581

Funeral Symphony (III)

Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, 1903

pastel, paperSymbolismsymbolic paintingtreeslandscapefiguresskysunsetfence

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels and creating atmospheric perspective. It also provides practice 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
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the trees and the horizon line.
step 02
Block in the sky with a light yellow pastel, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Add the sunset colors (orange and red) to the horizon, blending them into the yellow.
step 04
Establish the green field with broad strokes, varying the shades of green.
step 05
Define the trees with dark blues and browns, adding highlights with lighter shades.
step 06
Add the blue figures and the fence in the background, keeping them simple and indistinct.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees, adding texture and depth with short, broken strokes.
step 08
Blend and soften the colors as needed to create a hazy, dreamlike effect.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · green · brown

secondary · orange · red · purple

Mix greens by layering blue and yellow. Achieve the tree colors by layering browns and blues, and adding hints of red for warmth. The atmospheric perspective is created by using lighter, desaturated colors in the background.

techniques

·pastel layering
·blending
·atmospheric perspective
·broken color
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the pastels and losing the freshness of the strokes.
→Making the figures too detailed and distracting from the overall mood.
→Not blending the colors sufficiently, resulting in a harsh or unnatural look.
→Failing to create a convincing sense of depth and distance.

materials

surface · pastel paper (toned)

required

·Pastel set (soft pastels)
·Pastel paper (toned)
·Blending stumps or tortillions
·Kneaded eraser
·Fixative spray
·Drawing board
·Paper towels

optional

·Workable fixative
·Palette knife
·Easel

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to grip the pastel. A toned paper will help to unify the colors and create a more harmonious effect.

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