plate no. 9052
Mother Combing Her Child's Hair
Mary Cassatt, 1879
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels and capturing soft, natural light. It also provides practice in depicting figures and their interactions in a domestic setting.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 10 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the figures and the chair.
- step 02
Establish the background colors, using broad strokes of pastel.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the mother's and child's clothing, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 04
Begin to define the features of the faces, using soft, blended strokes.
- step 05
Add details to the hair, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
- step 06
Refine the folds and shadows in the clothing, adding depth and dimension.
- step 07
Add highlights to the faces and clothing to create a sense of light.
- step 08
Review the overall composition and make any necessary adjustments.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · raw sienna · white · green
secondary · red · burnt umber · blue
Mix yellow ochre with white for lighter skin tones; use burnt umber and red for shadows. Greens are muted, so mix with browns.
techniques
- ·pastel layering
- ·blending
- ·hatching
- ·scumbling
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, which can flatten the image.
- →Using too much pressure, which can make the colors look harsh.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in color and value.
- →Not establishing a clear light source.
materials
surface · Pastel paper (toned)
required
- ·Pastel set (soft pastels)
- ·Pastel paper (toned)
- ·Blending stumps
- ·Kneaded eraser
- ·Fixative spray
- ·Drawing board
- ·Pencil
- ·Ruler
optional
- ·Palette knife
- ·Workable fixative
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to grip the pastel. A toned paper will make it easier to establish the overall color harmony.
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