plate no. 4827
Simone in Plumed Hat
Mary Cassatt, 1903
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in pastel layering and blending, as well as capturing soft light and form using a limited color palette. It also offers practice in portraiture and capturing a likeness with expressive mark-making.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 12 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes and proportions of the figure, hat, and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall color scheme by applying thin layers of pastel to the main areas.
- step 03
Begin building up the form of the face, focusing on subtle shifts in color and value.
- step 04
Develop the details of the hat, paying attention to the texture and folds.
- step 05
Add layers of pastel to the clothing, blending colors to create soft transitions.
- step 06
Define the background with loose strokes of pastel, suggesting depth and atmosphere.
- step 07
Refine the details and add highlights to create a sense of realism.
- step 08
Blend and soften edges as needed to achieve a cohesive and harmonious effect.
color palette
primary · ultramarine blue · yellow ochre · rose madder · titanium white
secondary · burnt sienna · raw umber · sap green
Mix blue and white for the hat, yellow ochre and white for the skin tones, and rose madder with white for the cheeks and lips. Use burnt sienna and raw umber for the darker areas of the background and clothing.
techniques
- ·pastel layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·hatching
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, which can result in a muddy or lifeless appearance.
- →Using too much pressure, which can make the pastel look heavy and unnatural.
- →Neglecting the importance of value contrast, which can flatten the image.
- →Failing to establish a clear focal point, which can confuse the viewer.
materials
surface · pastel paper
required
- ·assorted soft pastels
- ·pastel paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
- ·soft blending tools
optional
- ·pastel pencils
- ·tortillions
- ·chamois cloth
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastel. Use a fixative spray sparingly to prevent over-saturation.
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