plate no. 2001

Selfportrait

George Stefanescu, 1958

crayon, pastel, paperPost-Impressionismself-portraitportraitself-portraitfacehairfigurehead

some experience helpful

Recreating this portrait will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels and capturing likeness through careful observation of facial features. It also provides practice in creating texture with pastel strokes.

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 of the head and facial features using a pencil.
step 02
Establish the background color with light green and gray pastels.
step 03
Begin layering colors on the face, starting with mid-tones and shadows using browns, reds, and greens.
step 04
Add highlights to the face using lighter shades of pastel, focusing on the forehead, nose, and cheekbones.
step 05
Develop the hair with a combination of dark brown, black, and touches of lighter brown and yellow pastels.
step 06
Refine the details of the eyes, nose, and mouth, paying attention to the subtle variations in color and value.
step 07
Add the white shirt with simple strokes of white pastel, suggesting folds and shadows.
step 08
Blend the colors softly to create a cohesive and naturalistic effect.

color palette

primary · gray · green · brown · red

secondary · white · yellow · black

Achieve skin tones by layering browns, reds, and greens. Mix grays by blending white and black pastels. Use yellow to add warmth to the skin and hair.

techniques

·Layering pastels
·Blending
·Hatching and cross-hatching
·Color mixing on the paper
·Creating texture with pastel strokes

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy appearance
→Using too much pressure, which can make the colors appear flat
→Ignoring the subtle variations in color and value
→Not establishing a strong foundation with the initial sketch

materials

surface · Pastel paper (toned gray or light blue)

required

·Pastel set (various colors)
·Pastel paper (toned gray or light blue)
·Pencil (HB or 2B)
·Eraser
·Blending stump or tortillon
·Fixative spray
·Soft cloth or paper towel

optional

·Kneaded eraser
·Workable fixative
·Easel

Choose a pastel paper with a slightly rough texture to hold the pastel pigments well. Use a workable fixative to prevent smudging and allow for layering.

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