Pastels & Rice??

[skjacobs]

Hello to all once again.
As stated in my post yesterday, am new to all of this and this question may seem a little "stupid" to some but I would really like to know the answer to it and it thus has been bugging me ever since I read it here in a few posts.
BTW---Thanks to everyone that responded to my last post in regards to Yarka Pastels. Have taken everyones advise and now have a full set of Nu-Pastels (with the free book) and a 60-half stick set of Rembrandts on the way. Can hardly wait for them to arrive.
The inquiry that I have this time is in regards to my reading here in several posts that people are placing their pastels in or with rice. Could I possible get an education from someone in regards to the purpose or benefits from doing such an act???? I honestly do not know why a person would want to do this.
Thanks in advance for any and all replies to this post. You all are great and am comforted to have run across this wonderful environment.
Thanks!!
Charles

[DFGray]

hi
the rice serves to pick up pastel dust from other sticks of pastel the pastels that are tumbled or kept in rice will stay a little cleaner
regards
Dan

[Roan]

Dan, ever the brief guy, is correct http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Pastelists such as Doug Dawson, use rice flour instead of rice grains. In his book Capturing Light and Color with Pastel, Mr Dawson states that some of his students use cornmeal as well.

His reasoning is as thus: it prevents him from using the same old colors over and over.

It's a great approach, and one that I've tried without success. I just *have* to be organized http://www.wetcanvas.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hope this helps!

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<FONT face="Script MT Bold"><FONT COLOR="#AB4835"><FONT size="5">Roan</FONT s></FONT c></FONT f>
<FONT COLOR="#8A1010">"Bu shoilleir a dhreach, 's bu luath
Shiubhal: Sith-fada b'e ainm." --</FONT c>
<FONT size="1">"Shining his coat, and speedy
His pace -- Si-Fada his name."
Si-Fada = "long pace"</FONT s>
RoanStudio.com (http://RoanStudio.com) &lt;--- supply resources for pastelists!

[Ohju]

Good info, never thought of rice. hmmm
or cornstarch? ok


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The best way to predict the future is to create it. Peter F. Drucker

[skjacobs]

Thanks for the responses, greatly appreciated.
Concept seems to be legitimate and suppose that I may try it at some point in time, however, I think I would steer away from the cornmeal however. Anytime I leave cornmeal unsealed for any length of time it seems to always develop a lively crop of cornmeal beetles. (I would hate for them to die from eating all my toxic pastels!!) <g>
Once again, thanks!
Charles