plate no. 6058

Portrait of A. P. Bakunin

pastel, pencil, paperRomanticismportraitportraitfigurechairclothinghair

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in rendering realistic skin tones and capturing likeness through careful observation of proportions and values. It also provides practice in creating subtle textures with pastel and pencil.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Create a light sketch of the overall composition, paying attention to proportions and placement of the figure and chair.
step 02
Block in the main shapes and values of the face, hair, and clothing with light pencil strokes.
step 03
Begin layering pastel colors to build up the skin tones, starting with lighter shades and gradually adding darker values.
step 04
Focus on capturing the subtle variations in color and value in the face to create a realistic and expressive portrait.
step 05
Add details to the hair, clothing, and chair, using a combination of pencil and pastel to create texture and depth.
step 06
Refine the edges and contours of the figure and chair to create a sense of form and volume.
step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the overall contrast and create a sense of realism.
step 08
Blend and soften the pastel colors to create a smooth and seamless finish.

color palette

primary · ivory black · burnt sienna · raw umber · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red light · cerulean blue

Mix burnt sienna and white for the base skin tone, adding small amounts of red for warmth and umber for shadows. Use cerulean blue and white for the chair.

techniques