Pastels are a wonderful medium that can add life and vibrancy to your artwork. One of the most exciting aspects of pastel drawing is the ability to create depth and dimension. By layering colors, blending shades, and adjusting light and shadow, you can transform a flat image into a dynamic piece of art. In this article, we’ll explore three diverse examples of using pastels to create depth and dimension, helping you elevate your artwork to new heights.
When creating a landscape, using pastels can help you convey the vastness and beauty of nature. Start by sketching a simple outline of your landscape, including elements such as hills, trees, and a sky.
Begin with the background. Choose lighter shades for distant hills and the sky, applying pastel in a gentle, sweeping motion. Use a soft blending tool or your fingers to smooth the colors together, creating a gradient effect that mimics the soft atmosphere of a faraway landscape.
Next, move to the mid-ground. Select slightly darker hues for the trees and hills closer to the viewer. Layer these colors on top of the background, allowing some of the lighter shades to show through. Blend the edges where the two meet to create a seamless transition.
For the foreground, pick rich, bold colors that will pop against the softer background. Use stronger strokes and texture to depict grass, flowers, or rocks, ensuring these elements stand out. By varying the intensity and saturation of your pastels from background to foreground, you successfully create depth and dimension in your landscape.
Notes: You can experiment with different color palettes depending on the time of day you want to depict, such as warm colors for a sunset or cool tones for a morning scene.
Creating a portrait with pastels can be a rewarding experience, especially when you focus on depth and dimension. Begin by lightly sketching the outline of the face and features.
Start with the skin tones, layering lighter colors on the high points of the face, like the forehead, cheekbones, and nose. Use gentle circular motions to blend the pastels smoothly, creating a natural skin texture. Then, choose a slightly darker shade for the shadows, like under the chin or around the nose, and apply it where the light naturally falls away. Blend these areas to create soft transitions between light and shadow, which adds volume to the face.
For the hair, use a combination of dark and light pastels to create dimension. Start with darker shades at the roots and lighter shades towards the tips, layering them in a way that reflects light and adds texture. This technique will make the hair appear more realistic and full.
Finally, don’t forget to add a background. A simple, muted color can help your portrait stand out while further enhancing the sense of depth.
Notes: Experiment with different skin tones and hair colors to practice creating depth in various portraits. You can also try adding accessories or clothing with varying textures for added dimension.
A still life is an excellent opportunity to practice using pastels to create depth. Start by arranging your objects, like fruit or flowers, in an appealing composition. Lightly sketch the outlines of each item.
Begin by blocking in the base colors of your objects. For example, if you’re drawing apples, use a bright red for the body and a lighter shade for highlights. Apply these colors with a firm hand, ensuring that you have a solid base to work with.
Next, focus on shadows. Observe where the light falls on your objects and where shadows are cast. Use darker pastels to create shadows beneath the fruit and on the sides opposite the light. Blend these shadows carefully into the base colors to create depth.
You can also add a textured background, like a tablecloth or wall, using complementary colors to help your still life pop. This added layer helps push the objects forward and adds a sense of realism to the scene.
Notes: Experiment with different light sources to see how they affect the shadows and highlights. You can also try using a variety of objects with different textures to practice creating depth in your still life compositions.