Rhododendrum. Oil pastels. W.I.P.

[Mo.]

I've been practising and learning to use oil pastels for a few weeks now, and decided to do a painting using all the methods I've taught myself so far....I must say that these techniques are my own learnt from trial and error, I'm still learning and trying out different things with them all the time. It may well be that some or all of the techniques I've taught myself are used generally with oil pastellists, but as I've not had any tuition on them, or even any books on the subject...(are there any out there?)... for the moment I'll consider them to be what I've personally taught myself...no one else has taught me.

Also as oil pastels seem to be gaining in popularity, I thought that to share my experiences as I go along may benefit some people, hope so anyway.:)

I took some pics of Rhododendrum bushes yesterday and thought they would be a good subject to try out my techniques.

So I took a sheet of black Somerset Velvet, size 15 x 11 inches and sketched out the flowers using a white coloured pencil...I next layed in the first strokes of colour using directional strokes and working all over the painting.

I'm not worried at this stage about detail and such just getting the colours down

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_01.jpg

The second pic shows more colours added...then the first stage of blending these colours together with a brush dipped into white spirit, the excess taken off by dabbing the brush onto a paper towel, I use a small hogshair oil brush which is fairly stiff, then working the brush into the colours and blending them together and pushing the pastel into the paper following the shapes of the petals, again I'm not concerned about detail, just getting the colours down and following shapes.


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_02.jpg

The third pic is as it stands at the moment.... I'm now building up more and more colour, blending and adding colour using my handmade blenders which I prefer over any other for this medium

As I work on the painting, I find that the flowers are taking a shape moulded from my hand, nowhere identical to the ref pic as I've missed petals out and altered the shapes here and there. The beauty of this medium is just that...moulding and shaping the colours by pushing and blending them together to form the shapes and contours of the petals, it's a very satisfying experience... I have a long way to go yet....still no fine detail added, like the flower centres..just defining and sculpting the many shapes and curls of the petals and subtle colors and shadows, trying for a good transition in the blending of one colour into another takes time and patience, I'll now continue working on the flowers this way..... so far so good... a long way to go.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/02-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_03.jpg

Comments appreciated and thanks for looking. :)

cheers,
Mo.

[mhimeswc]

Ohhh!! I like the way they are coming. The pinks and purples look great on black.

Michelle

[Dark_Shades]

Lovely Mo...... wonderful WIP........ the flower on the top left is really taking shape and form...... beautiful colours.
Can you explain what type of paper this is Mo, and what Oil Pastels are you using.........

.... its going to turn out lovely

[butterfly]

Mo:

Wow ... this is great .... I was reading holding my breath ... as I am just beginning with OP's and really am interested in learning how to handle the medium. I have read the sticky started by Dima, but... this is super and coming along beautifully. I process the information much faster by watching someone else progress with the medium ... I was going to buy some OP's this weekend, but I think I will wait for your answers to Dawn's questions before I go shopping.

Thanks for sharing this ... looking forward to more posts

Butterfly/Roni

[Kathryn Wilson]

There is a book on Oil Pastels out and it's a good one . . .

"Oil Pastel for the Serious Beginner" - authored by John Elliot. It is a soft cover published by Watson Guptill.

I personally love the look of pastels on black, as you noticed Mo, but I am unfamiliar with the paper you are using. Is this like velour? Would love to try out a sheet with my box of Faber Castell oil pastels. I have worked before on velour and love the soft feel, but also know the pastel deterioration that occurs.

Love the flowers - keep going and let us know how you are liking oil pastels.

[bnoonan]

Mo - it's a demo!!! Yeah!!! Well done and it's looking great. Love the colors you are choosing for this. I've never attempted rhodies but I can imagine they will present quite the challenge.

I'll be watching all along and cheering you from the other side of the pond.

Barb:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Mo.]

Michelle thank you.. black is always a good background colur for flowers I think.. gives a more 3 D effect.

Dawn Thanks my pal...didn't I say....ooops...the paper is Somerset Velvet pastel paper....the pastels are Caran D'Ache, and Sennelier...not too happy with the Sennelier and only have a limited supply of Caran D'Ache, but not for long .....have just ordered a set of 96, can't wait to get my hands on them.

Roni Thankyou, but bear in mind Dawn's motto...'different strokes for different folks'.... what suits me, may well not be to your likign...it is a personal preference. :)

Kat Well I never, didn't know about that, I've heard about John Elliot, but didn't know he had produced a book, might be worth my while to seek it out..... the paper I'm using I bought from Heaton Cooper...this is a U.K. firm, it's a beautiful paper, not velour...To me it's one of the finest pastel papers on the market.

Faber castell oil pastels?? Tell me more, not heard of those before.

Cheers,
Mo.

[Mo.]

Originally posted by bnoonan
Mo - it's a demo!!! Yeah!!! Well done and it's looking great. Love the colors you are choosing for this. I've never attempted rhodies but I can imagine they will present quite the challenge.

I'll be watching all along and cheering you from the other side of the pond.

Barb:clap: :clap: :clap:

Barb Thanks pal.... You sussed me out....need the practice :D.. do you want some tulip shots? have a good one.:)

cheers,
Mo.

[bnoonan]

Hi Mo,

Thanks anyway but I have so many tulip photos I wouldn't even know where to begin to paint them all.

check out my latest I'm about to post.

B

[Mo.]

Oooh right...will do.

[sundiver]

This is going to be just gorgeous, Mo!
Why aren't you happy with the Sennelliers? I haven't tried them.

[Luvy]

Well maybe I'll learn to do flowers watching this. *S* (hand propping up chin leaning on desk)

[Kathryn Wilson]

Mo, if you can't find the John Elliot book over there - I could send you a copy. I'd also like to explore getting a sheet or two of your paper - can I get it here in the States?

[louiethe_cat]

I'm anxious to see this completed, it's looking fine...you do a great job of explaining along the way, that's helpful to us novice people. Thanks for the lesson.

[Artaholic]

Mo, this is beautiful!! You mentioned using your hand made blenders- are these different from the ones you used with other pastels??

Gerry

[Dark_Shades]

Originally posted by Mo.


[B] Dawn Thanks my pal...didn't I say....ooops...the paper is Somerset Velvet pastel paper....
Cheers,
Mo.

Sorry Mo, being a bit fick 'er!! ..... is this more like a paper, or has it a pile as in velour, or is it like a sanded paper

[jackiesimmonds]

Mo, this is coming along so well, and you are doing wonders with your op's. Just a thought ..... why not work in oil paints, rather than oil pastels? Or do you do both?

I love Somerset Velvet paper too (DS it is a paper, not velour or sanded, just a very very thick, heavy paper with a slight tooth, and it takes the pastel really well. Great for underpainting too.) I like the buff colour for chalk pastel work, as well as the black, tho I did use the black a lot for my dancers and also for my Carnival pics. It is gorgeous stuff.

I also struggled with Sennelier oil pastels, they are so darn sticky.

Keep up the good work, you are really producing super pics.

Jackie

[Redsy333]

Great WIP Love the quality you are gaining with these, cant wait to see final!! YAY!! Go MO!

[E-J]

Ooooh Mo ~ this is going to be beautiful! Thanks for showing us a WIP :)

[Drumbeat-trish]

oooooooo -this is fascinating !!!!! Thanks for sharing this with us Mo. I'm interested in your 'handmade blenders' can you show us a pic and explain how you made them? :)

[Sueb]

Mo,

This looks great. Thanks so much for the progress shots. I'm amazed at the blending that you accomplish with the op's. Every time I try I end up with mud! Following your progress with awe!

Sue

[Katherine J]

Great job, Mo. I'm very impressed as I've never tried oil pastels and think I'm vaguely scared of them. You're getting such amazing detail and the colours are lovely.

Katherine

[Mo.]

Wow! Thanks folks for your support and interest shown, so many lovely comments, I really do appreciate this you know.

I had a feeling that there may be questions about the blenders I use, so took a pic of them...don't laugh, there is nothing magical or fancy about them, but they work for me...here's the pic...


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-May-2003/5154-blenders.jpg

All it takes to make them is a sheet of cheapo pastel paper, the type that comes in pads...this one is Ingres... I take a ruler or straight edge and tear a strip alongside the edge of the ruler about 2 inches wide, I then roll this around a pencil, or paintbrush stem to get it curled, I then roll it between my hands to soften it up... then I roll it up as shown in the pic, securing it with some masking tape..why do I use this method...because it works for me.. I can alter the hardness/softness in the roll... I have plenty at my fingertips to use, I can cut the ends off when they become frayed... I've used commercial blenders, and shapers, but still go back to my own liitle quirky ones, I've also tried other papers, but the Ingres pastel paper I have found to be the best for my needs. Am I mad?? maybe.... but this little tool is my favourite of all.... I also use paper towels folded into points, this I use generally as a final blend, just brushing lightly over the suface... the shapers are very good for soft pastels, but I found with the oils, they seem to push the medium rather then blend it... another favourite I use is a dry hogshair brush... this is a fairly stiff brush, which can be used for different effects.

Gosh that took a long spiel to explain, hope it helps.

I've not progressed as well as I would like today...worked on the leaves, which thinking about is the area I should have concentrated on first as they lay behind the flower petals...ah well, we all make mistakes..to eager too get my fingers on those lovely petal flowers I guess... I worked the leaves in the same manner as the flower petals, i.e. laying in the colours I want to use then intitially blending them with a brush and white sprit, then again using the same colours, laying on more strokes of colour and then dry blending with my trusty blenders... I blend using a rotating action to work the pastel into the paper, similar to what CP artists do I suppose, oil pastels are not just oily but waxy too, so when blending just one colour, I've found that that colour will intensify and the wax will bloom, so it's best to lay in strokes of various colours and then blend together.... I've also found that I can blend using a neutral colour such as grey for instance will blend the colours together too and tone it down veyr nicely, I generally finish my blending in the direction of the shape..

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/03-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_04.jpg

I apologise for the poor pic, colours are not as true as should be, it's again taken with a flaS=sh and the area on the right is blacked out a bit.

Gosh Just realised, I've been rambling on and haven't thanked everyone... I'll have to re- read the thread, then I'll come back okay? :)

Cheers,
Mo.

[Mo.]

I didn't mean to ignore anyone here, so now I'm going through all the lovely comments...

Sundiver, Barb, Dawn. Luvy, Kyle, Alan, Gerry, Trish, Jackie, Trish, Katherine, E-J many . many thanks for your comments and interest...:) Your comments has geared me on no end...hope I don't end up boring you all. :D

To answer some questions,

I have learnt that Oil pastels are nothing like soft pastels, the blending of this medium is totally different, the more I use them the more I'm loving them....

Jackie..you asked why don't I paint with oils... I would and I did for about 20 years, but we are now in a much smaller home, I don't have the space to accomodate all those canvasses, I also don't have he patience for the drying time D.. I loved painting with oils, to me they are the master of all mediums, I still have my oil paints, but would need a pliers to open up the caps now...I love soft pastels too, but now I'm exploring the oil pastels and I'm so enjoying the experience.

Kyle.. I've tracked down John Elliots book from Amazon, and have ordered a copy, thanks so much for your offer... looking forward to receiving the book. the Paper I'm using can be ordered from Heaton Cooper..this is a U. k. site , but a delicious one.

Sundiver... I find the Senneliers far too sticky... they have a great colour range, but for instance ... the green dark green used on the leaves a wonderful dark green, but almost impossible to blend...it's like blending wax polish, I had to be so very careful when using it, had to add other colours to eliminate the waxy bloom, but still not 100% happy with the result...shame because it's the exact colour I want...


Hope I've thanked and answered everyone... thanks again to all. :)

Cheers,Mo.

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi Mo - so glad you were able to order John Elliot's book on Amazon. Now I need some help from you - I found the Heaton Cooper site online, but there are so many papers it is confusing. I did a site search and the only Somerset Velvet I could find is an inkjet paper - can you get me the manufacturer's name, or where on the site I can find the paper. Sorry to be do dense.

Also, the Faber Castell oil pastels I mentioned earlier are available on this site. I think their products are good, but have not tried the oil pastels yet.

Thanks -

[Kathryn Wilson]

Hi - I finally figured it out and have found it for sale in the States - Dick Blick stock this paper in all the colors and different sizes. Here is the link to the paper on www.dickblick.com

http://www.dickblick.com/zz122/03/products.asp?param=0&ig_id=6110

[flower]

Hi Mo,

Just wanted to say i enjoyed reading this thread through and seeing those beautiful flowers come to life, thanks Kyle for the tip on the book maybe one of these days the book will be translated into german and then i can get it here or´ll have to wait till the next trip to england.

[guilliame]

Hi Mo,gosh almost missed this,thanks for sharing this i will definetly be following this with interest,for instance your input on your home made blenders is neat i did buy a commercial one and trying to clean it everytime is a pain your idea seems so much better and easier,i'll have to make some:)
As for the painting you are off to a brilliant start great colours,lookiing forward to the next progress pic:clap: .
PS i have a photo of 2 big camelia bushes should you feel the need to do some more flowers after this:D

[soap]

Mo - I thoroughly admire your talents - this is brilliant as usual (but it never gets 'usual' - do you ever do a horrible one?)
Love to see how it progresses - thanks.
thanks for the beauty

[Mo.]

Kyle.. I have no problems getting the paper from Heaton Cooper, but glad you have found an outlet there for you, it really is a lovely pastel paper, for soft or oils.

Flower, thankyou...your English is superb you must be able to read English as well as you read German...you can order it from Amazon.com.

Guilli..Thankyou... I haven't done much today, hoping to finish tomorrow. As to my home made blender, all I can say it's what suits me... I'm not advocating that everyone should do the same, but try it out and see for yourself

Camelias that sounds lovely, I don't usually paint flowers, but I'm enjoying this one...it's been a great challenge and a refreshing change too. may take you up on that one.

Sophie... Thankyou very much, coming from you that is a lovely compliment indeed .... I admire your talents too you know.

Yes I do horrible ones, (lots) they usually end up in the bin... :D:D..

cheers,
Mo.

[louiethe_cat]

This really turned out beautiful Mo, the leaves really bring out the colors in the petals. Really nice! Do you enjoy working with OP's as much as regular pastels? And thanks for the blender "recipe" Im going to look around the house for some of that type of paper.:clap:

[christmascarolnz]

Wow Mo! The colour is vibrant. I tried oil pastels but didn't do too well and shall now watch your progress with baited breath.

Jackie - I think sometimes using pastels as opposed to paintbrushes is better as it just seems a closer interaction between myself and the canvas. Does that make sense? I seem to alternate between pastel and oil paint and much prefer the pastels. I guess it goes back to getting my hands dirty at kindy.

Carol

[Taminka]

Oh dear Mo!!!
I've been off-line for a few weeks and the first thing I look at when I come back is your absolutely gorgeous, scrumptious rhododendrons!!!
Now look what you've made me do!!!! It was just too much for me!!! - I have to try!!!! So - I've just ordered a set of CaranD'ache OPs. :confused:
I'm feeling really guilty, as I've spent the last 6 months buying sooo many soft pastels!!!
It's all your fault!!! :evil:

Look forward to watching and learning,

Minky

[BTDogMom]

Oh WOWWOWOW- This is an awesome thread, but these flowers r gorgeous, Mo!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Mo.]

Many thanks Alan, Minky, Carol and BTDog...hope to post another progress pic later, if things go well the final even....thanks for all the support and encouragement. :)

cheers,
Mo.

[pixydust370]

The more I look at other people's work, the more I notice how much dark darks and light lights create so much depth. This looks wonderful on the black background!

[Dark_Shades]

talking of underwear in another thread lol ........ commmmmmmme on Mo........ dont keep us in suspenders

[Drumbeat-trish]

More Mo MORE !!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for the info on your blenders -

Waiting patiently for the next update :)

[flower]

Hi Mo,

Thanks for commenting on my english, i am actually from england just living over in germany, 17 years actually LOL do get mixed up sometimes between the 2 languages, only problem is i have to buy all my paint books in german cos not many people ship here to germany, if anyone knows of a book company who does would be grateful to know,

[Dark_Shades]

Originally posted by flower
Hi Mo,

Thanks for commenting on my english, i am actually from england just living over in germany, 17 years actually LOL do get mixed up sometimes between the 2 languages, only problem is i have to buy all my paint books in german cos not many people ship here to germany, if anyone knows of a book company who does would be grateful to know,

.... have you tried www.amazon.com ? or www.amazon.co.uk

[Mo.]

I was so hoping to get this finished today..... but all the best plans...blah, blah..... So many interruptions...mainly the blasted telephone...can't you tell I wasn't on line? :D

Anyway here's as far as I reached today dispite life getting in the way, this is taking me so much longer to do with this medium, mainly I think because I'm still not very confident with them, if I had used soft pastels I'm sure it would be finished long before now, but that's not to say I won't get quicker, the more I do hopefully the better I will become, at the moment, I suppose I'm being overly cautious, trying not to make mistakes, because you lot are watching me. :D... another discovery I made today....using the pastels in the morning..compared with using the pastels in the evening.... it's all to do with temperature, in the evening the pastels were more sticky to use... so... Mo.... paint in the mornings... if you can. :D.. fat chance.....my dog won't stand...or sit for that..LOL :)

Again taken with a dig and flash, hopefully be able to finish tomorrow and get a daylight pic.

I worked on the little flower buds/leaves, and the centre flower and touching up here an there...still quite a bit to do...they were quite difficult to do, hope they look like buds, :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/05-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_05.jpg

Cheers,
Mo.

[Dark_Shades]

turning out to be a real beauty Mo

.... and now Im turning in........ had to sit up all night waiting for this ;)

[Dyin]

This is really coming along great! The buds look good. It's hard to comment on an unfinished piece...it still needs some shadows for depth in the center flower and one thing I wondered, since I'm trying to train myself not to do the same thing, is if you are going to mat and frame it....is there enough room at the top to not cut off a portion? I tend to work very closely to the edges and have to really think about how it will look with a portion cut off. Looking forward to seeing the finished piece...nice job!

[Sueb]

Hey Mo, You are leading the way and doing a good job of it!

Sue

[Kathryn Wilson]

anyone working in this new medium is a pioneer - and you are a worthy one. I have watched this come along from the start and I'm astonished that you are getting the detail you are achieving.

For instance, the flower in the upper left: I think I am seeing the small veining that appears in flowers - I am in awe. I makes me want to start with oils, but I want to work on the Pastel Project in soft pastels. Hmmmm .... thinking of a good subject for OP's.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[bnoonan]

Hey Mo,
Didn't get a chance to tell you last posting that it's coming great and it looks like it was worth the wait. Love the progression of images.

the colors are fabulous and the texture you have created with the oils remarkable. I'm watching patiently.....

Barb

[Artaholic]

Absolutely stunning, and here I am still wraskeling with the roses :D :D
Well I have to admit haven't done much wrestling being lazy. hee hee!

Gerry

[Pilan]

WoW! I love the colors your using too. What is the best paper to use with oil pastels? I just purchased some a few days ago and thought I would try them.

Great examples and the steps were done well.

Pilan

[Dyin]

Pilan....check out this thread on oil pastels...should be helpful...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98103&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

[Pilan]

thank you for the link. its very hard to search on oil pastels in the search box. it comes back saying oil is too common :( .

Isn't there something that can be done for each forum. Like each forum has its own search engine. I think if this can be done then people could find things a lot easier. Maybe I should ask Scott.


Pilan



Originally posted by Dyin
Pilan....check out this thread on oil pastels...should be helpful...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98103&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

[meowmeow]

Wow! These are coming along beautifullly....it looks fabulous on the black paper.
You are doing so well with these oil pastels! You should be very proud of yourself!


Sandy

[Dyin]

Pilan...put oilpastel in as one word...that works....

[Mo.]

Dawn...Thanks pal...I'm so sorry for keeping you from you beauty sleep :D


Thanks Dyin.. Good point you have there about the space at the top...but if ever it does get matted and framed, there will only be a slight loss, nothing much to worry about, like you I sometimes don't think of these things when painting, inless it's a commission work, then I allow for it...commissions a few are far between these days though.:)

Sue..Thanks...pioneers girl. hey? :D

Kyle.. Thankyou very much for your lovely comments.

Barb, Thanks so much, you are a great encourager :)

Gerry.. Thankyou. I've been wrstling with this one too...it nearly ended up in the bin today, but decided to put it in the fridge instead. :D

Pilan.. Thankyou, not sure yet which papers are the best for this medium, as I'm still trying out different ones myself, but so far my favourite has been suede board and the smooth side of Cansons Mi Tientes.

Which pastels did you purchase?

Sandy.. Thankyou.. I do feel I've achieved something with them at last. :_

Well here's the finished work, I apologise for the rotten pic, the flash doesn't really do the colours justice and has bleached out shadows and the leaves some, I will take a daylight pic tomorrow, hopefully it will be better.

Thankyou all for sticking with me on this one, it's ben a struggle and right pain in thebutt on times, but I think I'll call it done now...unless anyone thinks otherwise...don't be afraid to say. :)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_06.jpg

cheers,
Mo.

[Sueb]

Mo, This is stunning! You are indeed the queen of blend. Did the Caran d'ache arrive yet.

Sue :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[Dyin]

that is very, very nice! I'm looking forward to the daytime pic..the only possible thing I can say is that the stamens (pistols?) ...anyways, they could use a tiny bit of darkness beneath them to give them dimension. But I think it is a great job and love the shading effects on some of the petals...and it looks really nice on the black. So what's next???:D

[Mo.]

Sue.. Thak you so much.. I did answer your pm, but then my computer crashed..dreaded blue screen everything..only now have I sorted things out..with some help.:)

Dyin... thankyou..you are a hard taskmaster.:) I think some detail has been lost through the flash pic, hopefully it will be resolved with the daylight pic, putting in very fine detail with oil pastels is somehting I'm still teaching mysef... not easy, especially with the senneliers which are like painting with a bar of wet soap.. as too what's next ... well more experimentation with this marvellous medium.. I will kepp venturing onwards and hopefully upwards too. :)

Cheers,
Mo.

[Redsy333]

Stunning and Beautiful!!!:D:D:D

[Dyin]

Mo....I hope not TOO hard...I really do think it's very good...I know I'm always looking for anything I can improve on my own stuff, so I'm not saying it's wrong, it's just something I thought would accentuate the depth. Like you say, there is the photo aspect of it, which makes it hard to see it as it really is...I'll be putting one of mine up in about a week so please come be a hard taskmaker for me too! ;)

[Pilan]

this is absolutely beautiful!!!! you did a fantastic job. :clap:

I purchased neo oil pastels caran de ache brand. I just bought a set of 12.

[flower]

Hi Mo,

I think they look absolutely beautiful

[flower]

ps Mo,

I think you should get a commission from caran d arche for all the new pastels which will be bought after this thread, i went and got another 24 LOL

[Mo.]

Many thanks Redsy,Dyin, Pilan and Patricia... Good point Patricia..think it's worth a try :)

Here's the daytime pic, the colours shown here are virtually spot on.


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/07-May-2003/5154-rhod_demo_07.jpg

Bet you're sick of looking at these now... I know I am :D:D

Thanks for looking folks and for all the wonderful feedback and comments. :)

Cheers,
Mo.

[Dyin]

This is a WAY better pic! It's really great. I couldn't even see the leaves in the other one. Just for curiosity's sake...what are your thoughts about the finished piece...and what are your goals for the next piece? And how happy are you with the OPs? Are you, or did you put a fixative on it? Everything I've read says the OPs never really dry and there will be no way to remove dust unless it's fixed or framed with glass/plexiglass. Thanks for being patient with all the questions!

[Smudger]

:clap: love it... simply stunnung:clap:

[soap]

love it... simply stunnung

Ditto:)

[bnoonan]

Wowwwww - stunning and vibrant.

Give yourself and ol pat on the back for this one Mo.

Love it.

Barb:clap: :clap: :clap:

[Dark_Shades]

lets do a guilly :D ......... lets see it framed

[Sueb]

Wow! Daytime does make a difference. :)

Sue

[BTDogMom]

BRAVO!!! It's beautiful!!!:clap: :clap: :clap:

[E-J]

Nice one Mo :clap:

You've got wonderful depth in those leaves!

[flower]

Hi Mo,

Just had to comment again, its beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mo.]

Really folks, I've never in my life before had such a response to one of my paintings... is it because it's done in oil pastels?
Whatever, I cannot get over the number of responses and views on my Drums! :)

Thankyou, thankyou , thankyou everyone... I hope that you have all enjoyed the WIP, and hope it's been of use to all those using oil pastels, I'm still learning this medium, I'm finding new things every day with them, it's so versatile.. a beautiful medium, it can be as soft as pastels , as flowing as oils, as thin as water-colour, or just plain sketchy. :D... marvellous.


Just a little note to Dyin..

what are your goals for the next piece? And how happy are you with the OPs? Are you, or did you put a fixative on it? Everything I've read says the OPs never really dry and there will be no way to remove dust unless it's fixed or framed with glass/plexiglass. Thanks for being patient with all the questions

I don't have a next piece to mind at the moment...but....My goals are to master oil pastels as much as I can...

I didn't and won't use a fixative, I really don't think it's needed...OP's yes never really dry out because of the wax content in them, they harden however and become very firm to the touch it really isn't a problem, once the painting is finished, whether, stored or framed behind glass, they will be resting, and if framed, as with all paintings, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight, otherwise there is no reason I can think of why they shouldn't last a lifetime and beyond.

My thanks to you all once again. :)


Cheers,
Mo.

[butterfly]

Mo:

Bravo !!!:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Been following along with this thread and thoroughly enjoyed your commentary and WIP ... the finished product is fabulous!

Thank you for sharing ... as I am about to embark on the journey of learning OP's also ... going shopping for Mother's day with the family this weekend and hope to get a nice set of OP's ... your thread has given me many hints ...

Thanks again Mo beautiful work ...

Butterfly/Roni

[jackiesimmonds]

Mo - yu should send a copy of this pic to Caran D'Ache themselves, to show how brilliantly you have used their product.

Jackie

[Dima]

Hi Mo,

I arrive a bit late at this thread.
Most has been said and it contains a heap of information.
You've set yourself quitte a task doing this WIP and you've done a very good job at it providing a great OP demo.
And I love your blenders smart and simple and I will certainly try them.

Dick

[sundiver]

That is one beauuuuuuuutiful oil pastel!
And thanks for the blender instructions. I make them as well, but your way is better/easier. After the first one you hardly even have to pay attention!
I had yard duty at lunch today- it's so boring. So I cut legal-size photocopy paper into long strips, put them in my pocket, masking tape in the other pocket, and while I was roaming around the schoolyard supervising 600 middle-schoolers, my hands were busy rolling up blenders!
Here they are lol

[Mo.]

Roni.. you are always so wonderfully enthusiastic, thankyou so much, hope you enjoy the OP's..let me know how you get on with them won't you? :)

Dick, thanks fellow OP pasteller, my style is so different to yours, but I admire your work so much...loved that 'Conductor' painting of yours, superb work..hope the blenders work for you. :)

Wendy.. that is a great accolade coming from you. You are a master of this medium, those gorgeous miniatures that you paint amaze me... so my little blenders are not that unique after all, good aren't they...and more so because we experiment and make the tools for our needs...innovative my hubby says! :D

Jackie, Thanks for the worthy advice... I think I will, why not hey? :D

Cheers,
Mo.

[bnoonan]

Mo - did you get a look at the number of folks who responded and then looked at your piece. Wow!!! you should feel great. Well done.

Barb

PS Sundiver - love the stumps that you created in the school yard. How do they work as ear plugs?