plate no. 8892

Woman`s Head with Large Hat

Mary Cassatt, 1909

pastelImpressionismportraitportraitwomanhatfigureclothing

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in pastel blending and layering, as well as capturing the subtle nuances of skin tones and fabric textures. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and form with minimal detail.

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 head, hat, and shoulders using a pastel pencil.
step 02
Block in the background with a mid-tone pastel, blending it smoothly.
step 03
Begin layering the skin tones, starting with light yellows and pinks, then adding shadows with browns and purples.
step 04
Work on the hat, using blues and whites for the brim and a darker blue for the crown.
step 05
Add details to the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, using small, precise strokes.
step 06
Refine the shadows and highlights to create a sense of depth and form.
step 07
Add final touches, such as the wisps of hair and the details on the hat.
step 08
Blend and soften edges as needed to create a cohesive and impressionistic look.

color palette

primary · ultramarine blue · white · yellow ochre · rose madder

secondary · burnt umber · violet · light blue

Mix light skin tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and rose madder. Create shadows by adding small amounts of burnt umber or violet to the skin tone mix. Achieve the blue of the hat by layering ultramarine blue and white.

techniques