plate no. 0976
Little girl
some experience helpful
This painting offers practice in capturing a likeness in profile and using soft pastel techniques to create subtle color transitions. Students will learn to suggest form through careful value changes and color layering.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, focusing on the head and shoulders.
- step 02
Establish the background colors with broad, soft strokes of pastel.
- step 03
Block in the main areas of value on the face, hair, and dress, using darker pastels for shadows and lighter pastels for highlights.
- step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the shape of the nose, mouth, and eyes.
- step 05
Develop the details of the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture and volume.
- step 06
Add the flower detail with vibrant reds and highlights.
- step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where needed to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 08
Add final highlights and details to complete the painting.
color palette
primary · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red · violet · raw sienna
Mix browns with blues and yellows to create the darker tones of the dress and hair. Use white to lighten the skin tones and background colors. Mix red and white for the flower highlights.
techniques
- ·soft pastel blending
- ·value layering
- ·broken color
- ·hatching
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Incorrect proportions of the facial features.
- →Failing to establish a clear value structure.
- →Using too much pressure when applying pastels, leading to a loss of texture.
materials
surface · Pastel paper (toned)
required
- ·Pastel paper (toned)
- ·Soft pastels (assorted colors)
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Blending stumps
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Drawing board
- ·Paper towels
optional
- ·Workable fixative
- ·Pastel pencils
- ·Palette knife
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to grip the pastel. A toned paper will help to establish the mid-tones of the painting.
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