plate no. 8308

Spanish soldier wounded, study for The Battle of Cerisoles

pastel, paperAcademicismportraitfigureportraitsoldierhatflagclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in portraiture, including capturing likeness and rendering fabric textures. It also provides practice in using a limited color palette to create a cohesive and harmonious artwork.

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, flag, and hat.
step 02
Refine the sketch, paying attention to the facial features and the folds in the clothing.
step 03
Begin applying the base colors for the skin, clothing, and background.
step 04
Add shadows and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 05
Develop the details of the face, including the eyes, nose, and mouth.
step 06
Work on the textures of the clothing and the flag, using short, broken strokes.
step 07
Refine the edges and contours of the figure to create a sense of realism.
step 08
Add final touches and highlights to complete the painting.

color palette

primary · red · blue · grey · brown

secondary · green · yellow

Mix various shades of grey by combining black and white with small amounts of blue or brown. Achieve skin tones by blending red, yellow, and white, with touches of brown for shadows.

techniques

·hatching
·blending
·layering
·scumbling
·dry brushing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details too early.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Using colors that are too saturated.
→Ignoring the proportions of the figure.

materials

surface · Pastel paper

required

·Pastel sticks (various shades of red, blue, grey, brown, white, black)
·Pastel paper
·Kneaded eraser
·Blending stumps
·Fixative spray
·Soft brushes

optional

·Palette knife
·Workable fixative
·Chamois cloth

Use a slightly textured pastel paper to allow for better layering and blending of the pastels. Consider using a workable fixative to prevent smudging and allow for additional layers.

tips & new artworks in your inbox

no spam — unsubscribe anytime.

or to save artworks, chat, and track progress

related guides

how to learn by studying the masters →

chat about this artwork

in this vein