plate no. 5985

Peas

Piroska Szanto, 1986

pastelSurrealismsymbolic paintingpeasleavesflowersfigurehatvine

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering pastels to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to use negative space to define shapes.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the main shapes: the figure, the pea pods, leaves, and vines, using a light-colored pastel pencil.
step 02
Block in the background with a dark pastel, ensuring even coverage.
step 03
Start layering the greens for the leaves and pea pods, using darker shades for shadows and lighter shades for highlights.
step 04
Add the white flowers and details on the pea pods, using light pressure to blend the colors.
step 05
Work on the figure, starting with the face and then the hat and clothing, paying attention to the subtle color variations.
step 06
Define the edges of the shapes with darker pastels to create contrast and separation.
step 07
Add the final details, such as the tendrils of the vines and the small red accents on the hat.
step 08
Fix the pastel with a light spray to prevent smudging.

color palette

primary · dark green · light green · white · black

secondary · red · tan · blue-green

Mix different shades of green by blending dark green with white or yellow. Create the blue-green by mixing green with a touch of blue.

techniques

·layering pastels
·blending with fingers or blending stumps
·using negative space
·scumbling
·hatching

common pitfalls

→Over-blending the pastels, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Not using enough pressure when applying the pastels, which can lead to a weak and uneven coverage.
→Ignoring the importance of negative space, which can make the composition feel cluttered.
→Using too much fixative, which can dull the colors and alter the texture of the pastel.