Hortense Valpinçon

About this work

This sketch shows a woman’s head turned slightly away, her hair pulled back under a hat. The lines are soft and smudged, like pencil but with darker shading. Her face is simple—just the curve of her cheek, the shape of her ear, and a quiet expression. The artist used pastel, a chalky stick, to make the shadows blend into the light. It looks quick, like a first try at capturing her face. Next, check out pastel to see how artists use it for soft, smoky effects.