Skill Builders
demonstration Erin
Erin Krakow is well known as one of
the stars of Hallmark Channel’s “When
Calls the Heart,” and I’ve drawn her
many times. For this demonstration,
I use pastel pencils—and the guidelines
shared earlier—to render her likeness.Step 1: Transfer the Sketch
I usually transfer the initial rough sketch
using a projector, light table or trans-
fer paper so the surface—in this case,
Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card paper—
is left undamaged from the early steps.
Using cold gray 4, white and burnt
umber (see “Palette,” opposite), I create
the contour drawing framework upon
which to build the portrait.Step 2: Identify the Key Features
Once I’ve achieved the likeness in the
contour stage, it’s important not to lose
it, so building the key features first, such
as the eyes, nose and mouth, can help
keep the features established as other
areas are built up. Using Payne’s gray,
I outline the areas of the eyes, nostril
and dark areas of the mouth. I follow up
with flesh and dark flesh tint pencils to
build up skin tones.Step 3: Begin Building Layers
I apply light flesh, dark flesh tint, tita-
nium white, Havana brown, light brown
and Payne’s gray to create a base layer,
paying special attention to the subtle
changes in light. Because I’m working
on sanded paper, details won’t be
sharp yet, so I’m not discouraged by
this rough-looking stage. I add light
layers of carmine and cold gray 1 to
establish Erin’s bright lipstick. I select
a background color of ultramarine and
apply it sparingly so it won’t smudge.
It helps develop hard edges between
foreground and background.PHOTO BY JANETTE STEPHENS AND USED WITH PERMISSION2
1
3
Reference PhotoThis article is based on
an excerpt from Drawing
Realistic Pencil Portraits
Step-by-Step, by Justin Maas.
Used with the permission
of North Light Books.12 Pastel Journal OCTOBER 2019