plate no. 8375

The Druidess

charcoal, paper, pastelSymbolismportraitfigureportraithead coveringprofileskyrobe

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors with pastels and charcoal, and in creating soft, atmospheric effects. It also provides practice in portraiture and capturing a sense of mystery.

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 figure and the background.
step 02
Establish the dark areas of the face and background with charcoal.
step 03
Begin layering the blue tones in the sky, blending softly.
step 04
Apply the yellow and orange pastels to the head covering and robe, building up layers of color.
step 05
Use a blending stump or your fingers to soften the transitions between colors.
step 06
Add highlights to the face and robe with lighter pastels.
step 07
Refine the details of the face, paying attention to the eyes and mouth.
step 08
Add final touches and adjust values as needed.

color palette

primary · Prussian Blue · Yellow Ochre · Burnt Sienna

secondary · White · Black · Red

Mix blues and blacks for the darker background. Use yellow ochre and burnt sienna to create the golden tones of the head covering. Add white for highlights and to soften colors.

techniques

·Layering
·Blending
·Scumbling
·Hatching

common pitfalls

→Over-blending, which can result in a muddy appearance.
→Failing to establish a strong value structure.
→Getting the proportions of the face wrong.
→Using too much pressure when applying pastels, which can make the colors look flat.