plate no. 0090
Portrait of Simone Fayet in Holy Communion
Odilon Redon, 1908
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in pastel blending and layering, as well as creating a sense of depth and atmosphere using color and value.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figure, window, and background.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, figure, and window.
- step 03
Begin layering pastels to build up the values and create depth.
- step 04
Focus on blending the colors smoothly, especially in the figure's veil and skin.
- step 05
Add details to the stained glass window, using brighter colors and sharper lines.
- step 06
Refine the details of the figure's face and clothing.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form and create a sense of light.
- step 08
Fix the pastel layers with a workable fixative.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · white · yellow ochre · red
secondary · purple · green · brown
Mix white with blues and purples for the veil. Use yellow ochre and red for skin tones. Create depth in the background by layering blues, purples, and browns.
techniques
- ·pastel blending
- ·layering
- ·color mixing
- ·soft edges
- ·atmospheric perspective
common pitfalls
- →Overblending, which can result in a muddy appearance.
- →Not layering enough colors, which can make the painting look flat.
- →Ignoring the subtle shifts in value, which can diminish the sense of depth.
- →Getting the proportions of the figure wrong.
materials
surface · toned pastel paper
required
- ·pastel set (soft and hard)
- ·pastel paper (toned)
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stumps
- ·workable fixative
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·pastel pencils
- ·ruler
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to grip the pastel. A toned paper will help to establish the mid-tones and make the colors pop.
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