plate no. 2717

Portrait of Jeanne Chaine

Odilon Redon, 1903

pastel, paperSymbolismportraitportraitfigurewomandresschairbackground

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels to create depth and texture, as well as understanding how to suggest details rather than rendering them precisely.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 10 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 main areas (skin, dress, background).
step 03
Begin layering colors within each area, focusing on building up subtle variations in hue and value.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of your pastel strokes to create texture and movement.
step 05
Refine the details of the face, hands, and dress, using softer pastels for blending.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to create form and depth.
step 07
Soften edges and blend colors where necessary to achieve a hazy, dreamlike effect.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making final adjustments as needed.

color palette

primary · pink · blue · brown · gold

secondary · green · yellow · purple

Achieve the subtle pinks by mixing white with red and a touch of brown. The blues are layered with purples and greens to create depth. The background uses a mix of all colors to create a hazy effect.

techniques