The Watchful One: Gorilla in Pastel
Art in Action: Live Class Replay. Follow along. with this step by step pastel lesson.
Course Summary
This pastel portrait really focuses on the quiet power of this gorilla—he’s got that soulful, thoughtful expression like he’s seen some things. I worked hard to get the proportions right here because, with animals, even the slightest tweak can shift the entire feeling. Those heavy brow lines, broad nose, and strong jaw anchor the face while pulling you right into the eyes—those deep, reflective eyes that add so much personality and soul. For the colors, I leaned into a mix of cooler tones—deep blues, grays, and purples( of course)—to build out the shadows and texture of the fur. But I balanced that with those rich, warm oranges and browns that bring light and life to the surface. It’s always fun to experiment with unexpected colors in shadows and highlights because they make the piece feel alive without being overly “realistic.” This one’s all about capturing the contrast of strength and gentleness. The careful layers, subtle fur texture, and attention to the light all work together to give you a sense of his presence—majestic, calm, and watchful.
Takeaways and Lessons Learned:
It starts with proportion:
Animals have unique features, and getting those landmarks right—the placement of the eyes, the slope of the nose—makes all the difference.
Soul in the eyes:
The eyes are everything here. Adding small reflections, depth, and those subtle color shifts brings the personality to life. Cool tones in shadows, warm tones in light: I love how the deep purples and grays contrast with the oranges and browns. It makes the fur glow without being overdone.
Layers for texture:
By building up the fur in light layers and breaking up the strokes, you get that sense of depth and softness.
Light tells the story: The highlights across his shoulder and head create that mood—like he’s lit just perfectly against the darker background.
Discussion Points:
-What do you feel when you look into his eyes?: Do you see strength? Calm? Maybe even a little curiosity? The eyes are so expressive in animal portraits.
-The balance of colors: Cool tones vs. warm tones—how do they change the feeling of the piece?
-Fur texture without overworking: How do you create the sense of fur without drawing every hair? It’s all about layering and breaking things up.
-The role of light: Notice how the light hits the gorilla’s face and shoulders—where does your eye go first?
-Proportion is key: When drawing animals, what’s the trickiest part of nailing the proportions? (For me, it’s always the placement of the eyes!)
Course Curriculum
Andrea Gianchiglia
