plate no. 5712
Study of the Sky at Sunset
Eugene Delacroix, 1849
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in blending pastels to create atmospheric effects and capturing the subtle color variations in a sunset sky. It also encourages observation of cloud formations and their tonal values.
technical profile
palette complexity
3
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 6 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the horizon line and the basic shapes of the cloud formations.
- step 02
Begin layering the sky with light blues and grays, using broad strokes.
- step 03
Add the orange and pink hues of the sunset, blending them with the existing colors.
- step 04
Define the shapes of the clouds with darker grays and blues, paying attention to their edges.
- step 05
Use white pastel to highlight the brightest areas of the sky and clouds.
- step 06
Refine the details of the horizon line and the ground, using greens and dark blues.
- step 07
Soften the transitions between colors by gently blending with a finger or blending stump.
- step 08
Add final touches and highlights to enhance the overall atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · sky blue · gray · orange · white
secondary · pink · dark blue · green
Mix blues and grays with white to create lighter sky tones. Blend orange and pink for sunset hues. Use darker blues and greens for the horizon.
techniques
- ·pastel blending
- ·layering
- ·scumbling
- ·atmospheric perspective
- ·color mixing
common pitfalls
- →over-blending, resulting in muddy colors
- →using too much pressure, making the colors too intense
- →neglecting the subtle color variations in the sky
- →incorrectly capturing the cloud shapes
materials
surface · pastel paper
required
- ·soft pastels
- ·pastel paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·blending stump
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
optional
- ·pastel pencils
- ·workable fixative
- ·palette knife
Choose a pastel paper with a slightly textured surface to grip the pastel. Use soft pastels for easy blending.
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