plate no. 3322

Self-Portrait

Franciska Clausen, 1918

oilExpressionismself-portraitportraitfigurefacehairself-portrait

some experience helpful

This painting provides an opportunity to practice soft pastel blending and capturing subtle shifts in skin tone. Students can develop their skills in portraiture and expressive mark-making.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 6 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the face and hair, paying attention to proportions.
step 02
Establish the background color with a light layer of pastel.
step 03
Begin blocking in the major areas of light and shadow on the face and neck.
step 04
Develop the eye sockets, nose, and mouth, focusing on accurate placement and form.
step 05
Add the hair, using short, directional strokes to suggest volume and texture.
step 06
Refine the edges of the face and hair, softening some areas and sharpening others.
step 07
Add subtle color variations to the skin tones, using layering and blending techniques.
step 08
Finish by adding highlights and details to the eyes and lips.

color palette

primary · flesh tones · brown · blue

secondary · red · purple · tan

Mix flesh tones by blending pink, yellow, and white pastels. Achieve shadows by adding brown or purple to the flesh tones.

techniques

·soft pastel blending
·layering
·scumbling
·directional strokes
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→over-blending
→muddy colors
→inaccurate proportions
→lack of contrast

materials

surface · pastel paper

required

·soft pastels
·pastel paper
·kneaded eraser
·blending stumps
·fixative spray
·sketching pencil

optional

·workable fixative
·pastel pencils
·chamois cloth

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastel. Use a light touch when applying the pastel to avoid filling the tooth of the paper too quickly.

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