plate no. 2976

The Bath

Suzanne Valadon, 1908

pastel, paperPost-Impressionismsketch and studyfiguresbathtubinteriorsketchnude

some experience helpful

Recreating this pastel drawing will help students develop skills in figure drawing, capturing movement, and using color to define form and light. It also encourages a loose, expressive style.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the overall composition, focusing on the placement and proportions of the figures and the bathtub.
step 02
Define the main shapes of the figures with light strokes, paying attention to their poses and gestures.
step 03
Begin adding color to the figures, starting with the lightest tones and gradually building up the darker areas.
step 04
Use short, broken strokes to create texture and suggest the form of the figures and the bathtub.
step 05
Mix blues and purples to create the color of the bathtub, adding highlights and shadows to give it depth.
step 06
Use yellows and oranges to create the skin tones, blending them together to create a natural effect.
step 07
Add details to the figures, such as the hair, eyes, and mouth.
step 08
Refine the composition by adding highlights and shadows, and adjusting the colors as needed.

color palette

primary · yellow · blue · orange · brown

secondary · green · purple · pink

Mix yellows and oranges to create skin tones. Combine blues and purples for the bathtub. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques

·hatching
·scumbling
·blending
·color layering
·figure drawing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the pastel and losing the loose, expressive quality of the original.
→Failing to capture the proportions and gestures of the figures accurately.
→Using colors that are too bright or saturated.
→Not blending the colors together smoothly.