plate no. 3635
Young Girl in a Blue Bonnet
some experience helpful
Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering pastel colors to create subtle variations and capturing a likeness in profile. It also provides practice in creating a sense of depth and atmosphere through color and texture.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
3
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure, window frame, and background elements.
- step 02
Establish the main color blocks for the background, figure, and bonnet.
- step 03
Begin layering pastel colors to build up the skin tones, paying attention to subtle shifts in value.
- step 04
Add details to the bonnet, using short, broken strokes to create texture.
- step 05
Develop the background foliage and window frame, using a variety of colors and strokes to create depth.
- step 06
Refine the facial features, paying attention to the proportions and details of the profile.
- step 07
Add highlights and shadows to create a sense of form and volume.
- step 08
Blend and soften edges as needed to create a cohesive and atmospheric effect.
color palette
primary · yellow ochre · burnt umber · ultramarine blue · flesh tint
secondary · sap green · white · raw sienna · alizarin crimson
Mix flesh tones by blending white, yellow ochre, and a touch of alizarin crimson. Achieve the blue of the bonnet by layering ultramarine blue with touches of white and purple. Create the background by layering yellows, blues, and greens.
techniques
- ·pastel layering
- ·blending
- ·scumbling
- ·broken color
- ·hatching
common pitfalls
- →Over-blending, resulting in a muddy appearance.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Neglecting the subtle color variations in the skin tones.
- →Getting the proportions of the profile incorrect.
- →Not creating enough contrast between the figure and the background.
materials
surface · pastel paper
required
- ·assorted soft pastels
- ·pastel paper
- ·kneaded eraser
- ·fixative spray
- ·drawing board
- ·paper towels
- ·blending stumps
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·workable fixative
- ·pastel pencils
- ·reference photo
Use a sanded pastel paper for better pastel adhesion. Work in a well-ventilated area and use fixative sparingly to avoid darkening the colors.
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