plate no. 9283
Mother and Two Infants
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in capturing figures in motion and using a limited palette to create a moody atmosphere. It also encourages the practice of blending pastels to create soft transitions and implied details.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
4
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 7 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figures and the architectural background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure by blocking in the darkest areas with a dark pastel.
- step 03
Gradually build up the mid-tones, blending the pastels to create smooth transitions.
- step 04
Add highlights to the figures' faces, clothing, and the architectural details.
- step 05
Refine the details of the figures, paying attention to the folds in the clothing and the expressions on their faces.
- step 06
Soften edges and blend areas to create a sense of atmosphere and depth.
- step 07
Add final touches and adjust values as needed to achieve the desired effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · burnt umber · titanium white
secondary · yellow ochre · raw sienna
Mix ultramarine blue and burnt umber to create the dark, muted tones. Use white to lighten the colors and create highlights. Yellow ochre and raw sienna can be used to add warmth to the figures' clothing and skin.
techniques
- ·pastel blending
- ·value layering
- ·soft edges
- ·implied detail
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the pastels and losing the soft, atmospheric effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure early on.
- →Getting the proportions of the figures wrong.
- →Making the colors too bright or saturated.
materials
surface · pastel paper
required
- ·assorted soft pastels
- ·pastel paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stumps
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·pastel pencils
- ·workable fixative
- ·tortillions
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastels. A toned paper can be helpful for establishing the mid-tones.
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