plate no. 8083

Julie Lemmen Sleeping in an Armchair

oilPost-Impressionismportraitfigureportraitchairdressinteriorfurniture

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing light and shadow with soft pastels and creating a sense of depth through layering and blending. It also provides practice in depicting the human form and drapery.

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 figure, chair, and background.
step 02
Establish the overall value structure with light and dark areas using a neutral pastel.
step 03
Begin layering in the local colors of the dress, chair, and background.
step 04
Focus on blending and softening edges to create a hazy, dreamlike effect.
step 05
Add highlights and shadows to define the form and create depth.
step 06
Refine the details of the face and hands, paying attention to the subtle nuances of light and shadow.
step 07
Add final touches and adjust the overall composition as needed.
step 08
Use fixative spray to protect the pastel surface.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue

secondary · titanium white · raw sienna

Mix yellow ochre and white for the dress highlights. Use burnt umber and ultramarine blue for the darker areas of the chair and background. Raw sienna can be used to warm up the background tones.

techniques

·pastel blending
·layering
·scumbling
·soft edges
·value studies

common pitfalls

→Overblending, which can result in a muddy or flat appearance.
→Ignoring the underlying value structure, which can lead to a lack of depth.
→Being too literal with color, instead of focusing on the overall mood and atmosphere.
→Not using fixative, which can cause the pastel to smudge.