plate no. 3736

Portrait of a Young Woman

oilArt Nouveau (Modern)portraitportraitwomanfigureclothinghairface

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending pastel colors to create soft transitions and capturing the likeness of a subject through careful observation of proportions and features.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure and background.
step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying broad strokes of pastel to the background, clothing, and skin.
step 03
Begin layering colors to build up depth and form, focusing on the shadows and highlights.
step 04
Refine the facial features, paying close attention to the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 05
Add details to the clothing, such as the collar and folds.
step 06
Blend the pastel colors to create smooth transitions and soft edges.
step 07
Add final highlights and details to enhance the overall effect.
step 08
Fix the pastel with a workable fixative.

color palette

primary · Prussian blue · Burnt umber · Titanium white

secondary · Cadmium red · Yellow ochre

Mix Prussian blue and burnt umber to create the darker tones in the clothing and background. Use titanium white to lighten colors and create highlights. Mix cadmium red and yellow ochre to create the skin tones.

techniques

·Pastel blending
·Layering
·Chiaroscuro
·Color mixing
·Hatching

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, resulting in a muddy appearance
→Incorrect proportions of facial features
→Ignoring the subtle color variations in the skin tones
→Applying too much pressure, making the pastel difficult to blend

materials

surface · Pastel paper (toned)

required

·Pastel set (soft pastels)
·Pastel paper (toned)
·Kneaded eraser
·Blending stumps
·Workable fixative
·Pencil
·Ruler

optional

·Palette knife
·Easel
·Gloves

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to help the pastel adhere. A workable fixative will allow you to add more layers of pastel without smudging.

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