Basic 102: Class 12---Pastel with Ponting

[Artistammy]

I've worked on the tablecloth. Can't seem to cover-up the white outline in the shadow.
Tammy O.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Apr-2007/3341-IMG_2421.JPG

[ponting]

Hello, Hello, Hello....thanks for the PM Tammy!!

Ruth - your elipses look just fine you may however need to erase a little bit of them and replace the pastel pencil as you are now picking up the green background. Your glass should look as crisp as the handle. If you take your clickable eraser...either the tiny one or the slightly larger one and cut it off with a razer blade or box cutter on a sharp bevel, that will allow you to erase a fine little groove in which to replace your white pencil. Your cinnamon looks terrific. I did a little emphasising on the vertical lines in the center of your cup to If you can make these look continuous from the clear glass through and over the tea it helps the eye see just what is happening here without having to engage the brain too much. :lol: Your doily is marvelous...just the colour of one that I have and it doesn't look dingy just ecru in colour rather than white. I also lightened up the little sunny spot on the back crabapple. Good work Ruth! :thumbsup:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Apr-2007/34523-Ruth.jpg

Tammy - This is looking great...all round... and I have no suggestions for covering the white in the shadow other than to work it in with a colour shaper or another pastel pencil. Are you keeping the center of that yellow candy for the icing on the cake? :lol: In any event.....your on the final leg :clap: Will be watching for you.

Cheers, Dianna

[Ruth Grinstead]

Thank you very much, Dianna :thumbsup: . That all makes perfect sense :D
As hubby has to work for the next three days, I should get some art time.

Ruth

[bnoonan]

I would like to award a very large Apple to the Teacher Dianna and gold stars to all her students.

Truly - the patience Dianna is sharing in this forum can't be found anywhere else.

Here's also a plug for Wet Canvas!!! Hurrah students and teachers!


Barb:clap: :thumbsup: :clap: :thumbsup: :clap: :thumbsup:

[ponting]

Thank you so much Barb and yes... a H-U-G-E hand for WC :clap: :clap: :clap: An awesome site!!

Ruth - I will be off doing the pretty for the next 6 days so if you post and I'm unable to log in, don't think you're forgotten. :lol:

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Pat Isaac]

I concur, Barb.:clap: :clap:

Pat

[Artistammy]

I may be done. Does the yellow & pink line look OK? They're not completely parallel with the bottom of the plate. How is this supposed to set? I had trouble deciding what should be the horizontal line for framing from the start. :o
Thanks,
Tammy
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Apr-2007/3341-licorice9WC.jpg

[Pat Isaac]

Well done, Tammy. I really like your handling of the cloth and the colors just sing.

Pat

[nvcricket]

Hi Tammy,

Great job! Are you copying me???? lol

Dianna corrected my back licorice. You did the same with yours as I did mine. The correction made a difference. It is on this page http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=405403&page=21

Your table cloth is perfect, I had to redo mine and it still isn't great. That white outline in the shadow that bothers you, I wouldn't know how to advise you. I tried to add some dark violet on the flower outline to make it have a bit of depth.

The pink candy on its side looks like it needs a touch of blending in the shadowed area. I think.

Once you get it behind a matt and in a frame you will be amazed!

I am not a pro at all, I just wanted to give you some feedback on what I would do to touch up if it were mine. You did just a magnificent job! I love the colors you used in the table cloth, really great!

Carol

[TJLind]

Hi Tammy,

I think you did a wonderful job. I struggled with the tablecloth, your's is beautiful.

As for cropping it, I would go from the upper left corner of the tablecloth straight across and from the upper right of the tablecloth down. You'll loose a little bit of the brown and pink candies on that side but not much.

[Artistammy]

Carol that link just took me to the last page again. What page number is it?
Thanks,
Tammy O,

[birdlady]

I hope can call this done but IF there is anything someone( Dianna?) sees to work on let me know. I would like to know how all of you got nice crisp edges on teh plate as mine seem to be fuzzy. I still need to crop it and need to know how to get it to lie flat. Its curled up on the corner. Also how do I store it since I cant get it framed right now? Can ya tell I am not familar with pastels :)


http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/14-Apr-2007/5126-alsorts_candy.jpg

Dianna thank you again for such a wonderful class. I have learned so much from this and yet I feel like such a bumbler. I do plan on trying this medium again because you showed me the sweetness that can come from pastels.


Laurie

[Artistammy]

Laurie, Your edges don't look too fuzzy. I used a pastel with a sharp edge & carefully went over the edge twice. Then I lightly went over the edge with a pastel pencil to even it out a little. Some of this is experience with the medium.
It looks like you need to finish the top right edge of the plate.
What kind of paper are you using?
This is a link to the pastel library with lots of info: http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134750
This is a link to a thread about storing pastels:http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3040&highlight=storing
Tammy

[Artistammy]

Laurie, I got interrupted & forgot to put this in. Your shadow under the plate could be darker. The reference looks like the shadow is closer to the color of the plate closer to the plate & lightening as it goes out toward the tablecloth.
Tammy

[TJLind]

Hi Laurie,

I used a charcoal pencil to do the edge of my plate.

[nvcricket]

Tammy,

Sorry, just don't have the hang of doing alot of tech stuff. Post 307 and 309 on page 21. Dianna photoshopped my black licorice piece in the back, she gave it some definition.
Laurie,
Check out this post too. A bunch of us missed that part of the lesson. It's an easy correction and it makes a big difference. Laurie, your candy looks just scrumptious!

Keep dusty,
Carol

[TJLind]

Hi all,
I wanted to do another candy dish. Unfortunately I didn't remember to take a pic until after I had framed it and the reflections in the glass are messing with the painting. The lower right hand corner is not lighter than the rest of the countertop.
Here is my effort.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Apr-2007/101939-Candy_Slices.jpg

[birdlady]

hi Tammy .. paper is the ones Dianna told us not to get :o was it wallis but its not taking any more pastel :( ya knew I had that part to finish but wanted to wait. wont I lose the white design if I put more dark over it , I had a dickens of a time when I was doing it .. got a secret to this part hmmmmmm Tammy:) TY for your help and the links going to look at them.

TY TJ I have one of them and a pretty plate of candies u might try putting it in a new thread so others can enjoy it too :)

TY Carol will scoot over there later to see what I missed :)


Laurie

[Artistammy]

Lauri, if your tooth is full, you can mask the rest of the painting & spray a fixative over the shadow so it can take more pastel & the white won't spread around. On sanded paper the General's white charcoal pencil stays put pretty well even when you go over it. You still have a nice painting even if you don't darken the shadow.
Carol, thanks for the post. I'll see about tweaking those spots.
Tammy

[ponting]

HELLO EVERYONE!! :wave: I've been away and have missed you all :p I can see that you however, haven't missed me....just trucking along splendidly on your own. :thumbsup: Thanks to everyone for jumping right in there with some great support and suggestions. I have just a few to add.

Tammy - in answer to your question on the yellow and pink lines....yes they should be in line and parallel to the plate's outer edge as they are both reflecting off the same lip straight ridge that runs around the plate.

I did darken the outline of your lower licorice as it didn't require quite that amount of definition.

You have lots of options for cropping either by straightening the painting to make the bottom plate edge parallel with the bottom of the painting or leaving it on the jaunty angle at which it now resides.

Do however, crop away some of the candy at either the top or side or both or it will look odd. It is designed to be a close-up partial of a full plate of candy so it you leave black around all edges you defeat the design. Looking excellent milady :clap: :clap: :clap:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Apr-2007/34523-tammy-2.jpg

ladybird - I do plan on trying this medium again because you showed me the sweetness that can come from pastels.

Laurie - Hey I don't call this the Chocolate of the painting medium for nothing :lol: Looking wonderful lady!! I hope you're duly impressed with yourself because you should be!!

I only see the one edge that looks a little fuzzy and I would suggest that you lay down a straight piece of paper covering the table clothe up to my pink line, erase the little area of cloth right up to the paper and then leaving the paper mask in place add a little more black plate as per my visual here using he mask to form the straight edge.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Apr-2007/34523-Laurie-edge.jpg

As Tammy pointed out Laurie, the shadow under your plate should become darker as it gets closer to the plate or lighter as it goes away. Your best option now if you choose to do it is to make it lighter as it nears the edge as this would be the easier choice however I thing at this stage you may want to just leave it be and keep that fact in mind for your next project.

As for storing, I always suggest you leave both the drawing and the paper attached to the backing board until you are ready to frame it. You can slip a piece of vellum, glassine or just plain paper between the drawing and the original to protect it. This way you can stack them up and they will be safe but if anything should happen to disturb the pastel, your drawing is always there to help you correct it.

Tammy L - I like this little piece. If I had caught it before it was framed I would have suggested removing the little nipples :lol: from the reflections as they weren't really necessary and a little distracting.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Apr-2007/34523-101939-Candy_Slices.jpg

Well guys...I'm off to catch up on my sleep. Bye for now....Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[eyeinthesky]

Hi All, I missed the start of this class, but I have been lurking in the background (as I usually do!), and decided to give it a go.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Apr-2007/66997-100_1300.jpg
I really enjoyed this, and Dianna, if you read this, I would love to take a class with you again next year so please let me know.
Dave

[*Marina*]

Wow Dave, a beauty.!

[TJLind]

Hi Dave,

I agree with applebee, what a beauty.

[ponting]

Excellent work Dave (I would expect no less from you :p ) and how great to see you here. http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Apr-2007/34523-hug.gif It's been far too long :p I can see you have paid close attention to absolutley every post I made on here. :clap: I'll have to get out and see what else you've been up to.

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Desiree]

Oh I can't believe I MISSED this class! I am going to go to the start and do it, all by myself. Dianna I love your work so much, I have never worked in pastels and saw your stuff last year, I am all signed up for your 3 day workshop in CA!!

[*Violet*]

well ... for whatever it's worth ... here's my tiny contribution to this project ... i wanted to do the full one but had too much on my plate including an art trading card project ... sooooo ... i decided to do a miniature version of this as part of that project and here it is ... measuring 2.5" x 3.5" on wallis belgian mist ... late, rather rushed, and if you can't tell :lol: ... drawn rather than traced so not much is accurate ... :) ... but at least an attempt !! ... :o ...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-May-2007/46454-licorice_allsorts_314x215.jpg

[robynsin]

At that size, I think it's awesome. :clap::thumbsup::clap:

[TJLind]

Hi Violet,
I agree with Robynsin.

[ponting]

Well hello everyone. :wave: Time has flown by quickly here and I haven't popped in to see what is happening.

Desiree...can't wait to meet you in San Clemente!! Thanks so much for signing on!

Violet...I agree with Tammy and Robyn....I am so blown away with the size of this...and the detail in the size!! Great work. Still working on a class on the east coast so I can meet you also. :lol:

Thanks again for taking the time to take part in what for me has been an interesting experiment with teaching on the web.

Chees, Dianna :cat:

[Diana_pastels]

Mrs. Ponting, I didn't realize you were still checking this thread occasionally. I joined WC too late to participate, but I read through the entire thread and tried the crabapple tea. It is my first painting in pastels, and I have fallen in love with them! Just starting back into art after about 17 years away.
Thank you for this amazing class.
Diana

[*Violet*]

thank you very much dianna !! ... you're very kind as were tammy and robyn ... i'm still hoping that somehow you *will* find yourself in this neck of the woods to teach ... you have to know i'll be signing up !! ... even as far away as toronto or buffalo ... rochester would be a stretch ... :lol: ... so keep me in mind !! ... :)

[Jo Castillo]

Mrs. Ponting, I didn't realize you were still checking this thread occasionally. I joined WC too late to participate, but I read through the entire thread and tried the crabapple tea. It is my first painting in pastels, and I have fallen in love with them! Just starting back into art after about 17 years away.
Thank you for this amazing class.
Diana
Diana, WOW, if this is your first, what will you do when you practice! I'm impressed. Beautiful,
Jo

[Diana_pastels]

Jo, thank you for your post! I have just finished another picture - cherries on a plate from the ref. library. I am learning as I go, and reading alot of threads here on WC, and really enjoying working with pastels.

[allieboo]

I cannot believe I missed this! :crying: A step by step class led by you - it's like finding gold!!! How great that you did this for all of us on WC! I have read about a quarter of all the posts - maybe I should just go back to the beginning and read them all through and just give it try anyway..

We are very lucky to have you on this site!! Your work is soooo amazing! :clap:

[robynsin]

Stunning painting, Diana. I'd love to see a large version of your cherries.

[Diana_pastels]

Robyn, thank you. I posted my painting of the cherries in the Soft Pastels Forum. Here is a link (I think, never tried a link before): http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=425316
Diana

Robyn, I just visited your blog. Your pictures are fabulous! And how wonderful to be able to sketch in Italy. I would love to visit Italy someday. I am slowly trying to learn Italian. I dream of running away to some out-of-the way place in Italy and just spend my time painting and "living". Sigh.

[ponting]

Hello, Hello, Hello!!! Back again to see what's up and how fortunate that I did stop in to see this great piece. Diana, as with Jo and Robyn...WOW!! It's not hard to see why you have fallen in love with something you grasped so quickly. I did check out your cherries...another winner to be sure!

Thanks so much to you and to Alice for taking the time to follow through with this site even after the class had ended and thank you one and all for your enthusiastic responses. :clap: Violet, I am working dilligently on an eastern workshop. :lol:

Cheers and keep dirty!!

Dianna

[Diana_pastels]

Dianna, thank you for your encouragement! It is a real boost for me. I checked out your upcoming workshop in San Clemente. It is already full. I am on the waiting list, but I don't forsee anyone dropping out of your terrific class. If you have another workshop on the West Coast, please let me know.
Diana

[RooGal]

:wave: I finally decided to tackle this project after spending a lot of time trying to figure out my colours. I had hoped to find open stock available for certain colours, such as a matching black pencil to my Rembrandt black, or the light ultramarine pencil for under the plate. Well that didn't happen, so I just sucked it in and proceeded with what I had. I am quite pleased with my effort, although I completely lost the pattern on the tablecloth, (I found I had painted in some of the wrong shapes). And I had to take out the shadow under the plate and completely redo it.

Diana, your instructions were quite clear and very easy to understand. I had an awful lot of fun working on this. I followed your dialogue in conjunction with the photo of the finished piece to further understand your choices for certain areas. I do hope I am learning. Thanks again for sharing this with all of us.
Cheers,
Pam
C&C would be greatly appreciated (otherwise how will I learn?).
23cm X 30cm (9X12)on grey colourfix
Sorry for the poor quality of the photo.

[*Violet*]

spectacular, pam!! ... i would be proud to call that mine !! ... definitely give yourself a pat on the back for a fabulous painting ... :thumbsup:

[RooGal]

Thank you Violet! Now if I can just carry it over into my next project. I'll keep at it because I do feel I'm learning something.

Ta!
Pam

[*Violet*]

no *if* about it, pam !!... you *will* bring your learning to every piece hereafter !! ... how can you not? ... you've gained acute observation skills, and definitely displayed your ability to apply the medium expertly translating your observations accurately ... :thumbsup:

[RooGal]

:heart: Thank you so much for your kind words Violet. I tell myself all the time, I can't worse, I can only get better. Practice, practice, practice.

Pam

[nadia37]

i know im verry late but i wanted to partipiciaid (difficult word sorry :-)) i'm new i learn alot with this step by step painting thanks alot dianna i hope sometime i can draw like you its ooooooooh so biautiful
here's a picture of my painting for now its not yet finished
C:\Documents and Settings\nadia\Mijn documenten\Mijn afbeeldingen\Afbeelding\Afbeelding 002.jpg

[nadia37]

know im verry late but i wanted to partipiciaid (difficult word sorry :-)) i'm new i learn alot with this step by step painting thanks alot dianna i hope sometime i can draw like you its ooooooooh so biautiful
here's a picture of my painting for now its not yet finished
:)

[RooGal]

:thumbsup: It's coming along nicely Nadia. Keep at it. I'm sure Diana will be checking the thread as her schedule allows.

Cheers,
Pam

[knippes]

Well, I know I'm rather behind the eight-ball here, but I just found wet canvas around a month ago. I just loved this tutorial - thanks a million Dianna. Just in case anyone is still looking at this thread besides me, I thought I'd post my attempt at the candy dish. I've been playing with pastels for around a month now. Thanks for looking.
--Kym
371368

[Andi Rebirth]

Kym, I think it is a great rendition. I came late to this too and you did a great job. Your definately farther along than I am, good shadows and I like how you kept your colors so clean. A struggle for me. :thumbsup: Andi

[knippes]

Thanks so much Andi! I have to admit to finding it much easier to paint with someone telling me which colors to use where... This tutorial was great fun and a wonderful way to learn. I'm going to start on the drawing ones now.
--Kym

[TJLind]

Kym, that is a wonderful candy dish.

nadia37, You have a very nice start and I can't wait to see your finished dish.

[Farfallina]

I did this some time ago and posted it in the Studio as a separate thread. I guess I should post it here too since this is where my adventure with pastels all started and this is where the painting really belongs.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/26-Sep-2007/95602-Tower_3.jpg

Now both my allsorts paintings are nicely framed and hang on my livingroom wall as a very happy pair. :)

Once again great big thanks to Miss Ponting!

[*Deirdre*]

Beautifully done Rose! Well done you!:clap: :thumbsup: :clap:

[LoreneT]

I have just discovered soft pastels and this tutorial! I will be doing this tutorial right away. Thank you so much Diana for inspiring me!

I managed to get a deal on a set of Winsor & Newtons, so off I go...

[TJLind]

What a lovely painting, Rose.

[LoreneT]

Finally done! I did make one major mistake here, I did it on suede board because the art supply store clerk said "Oh the best pastel paper is suede board." Of course later I learn that although it takes the pastel well, it is difficult to blend... and in the final stage, the white charcoal pencil wouldn't go on at all!

I think I may have finally found the medium for me. Thank you so much.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/06-Oct-2007/69142-licoricedone.jpg

[*Deirdre*]

Beautifully done! :thumbsup: And it just goes to prove the old adage...'once bitten, forever smitten!' :D Prepare for the fact that you will covet certain pastels....and be irresistibly drawn to them!:evil: :lol: What are you doing next?:D

[LoreneT]

What are you doing next?:D

I think I will try one of the step by steps from the "Painting Animals that Touch the Heart" book. My first love is drawing animals, but Dianna made those licorice look so wonderful, and provided such great instruction, that I just had to leap in there first! I've been browsing WetCanvas for pastel animal tutorials, would you have any to recommend?

[*Deirdre*]

Aha! Yes, there are a few who do animals in pastel really well! Mike Sibley's friend Vic for one...try pm'ing Mike...he could put you in touch maybe?:D Or I found the link to Vic's Site (http://www.vicbearcroft.co.uk/)

[nvcricket]

Lorene,

You have done a beautiful painting! The plate is remarkable. I was one of the fortunates that followed this thread live. It is amazing what everyone is still able to create! The suedeboard is a luscious surface to use, but every surface used by pastelists have their pros and cons. I love the softness of the table cloth-truly unique. You have a nice crisp front edge on that plate. A wonderful accomplishment! I think you have been bitten by the pastel bug! I miss my painting...I gave it to my uncle who is a diabetic. He loves looking at this picture. "just because I can't eat it, doesn't mean I can't enjoy lookin at em" Yours look good enough to sample!

Carol

[Wandrin_Dreamer]

I know that this class is over, but I couldn't help myself. I had to join in.

The pastels I bought were *tries to think of a polite word* dreadful. They were so darned hard that at times I though I was working with a 2H pencil! The only other packs I could find here were the Faber Castell, and they were [i]only[i] almost half my rent! So I got the cheapy ones. My other little niggle was that no one here seems to know what white charcoal is! At least the general standard of education can't be slacking yet, as everyone who served me managed to use the word "oxymoron". But anyway…

Oh, and they don't have the paper used here either. I asked about sanded paper, and I remember zoning out when someone decided to explain to me how to make it. (Can you make it? - Wait, don't answer. I wouldn't make it anyway)

So, to finally get to the point, this is my attempt, with a pack of 12 colours (of which I used 5) + 5 I bought loose.

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c51/harrymustlive/liquoriceresized.jpg

Concrit welcome

[*Deirdre*]

Roz...welcome to D&S and to the classroom!(which never closes...it just goes on...because the help is still there if needed!) You chose a great tutorial for your first one and considering the limited palette, your results are amazing! Well done!:clap: :clap:
I hope this means you'll stay with pastels for a while! :D

[Jo Castillo]

Wandrin Dreamer, your piece is amazing with what you have to work with. Wow. You will find better pastels and you will be addicted. Colourfix paper is one of the less expensive sanded papers. Kitty Wallis is considered best but is more costly. You can paint on regular sandpaper from the hardware store, I think 600 grit or smaller. It just probably isn't as archival. :)

By making paper, they probably mean to mix pumice, acrylic medium and water and brush onto board or illustration board. Colourfix also makes a sanded premixed ground, comes in a jar, that you can brush onto surfaces. It works well and goes pretty far so may be cheaper than buying the paper.

Enjoy playing in the dust.

Jo

[Wandrin_Dreamer]

Thanks for the welcome! This classroom managed to get me out of almost a year of 'lurkdom' :D

Oh, I will be staying with pastels for a long time, I reckon. I am working on a portrait for someone at the moment in pastels. Colour makes a nice change to charcoal (although it has its many different challenges.)

ETA: Sorry Jo, I posted just after you and I didn't catch yours until it was too late.

Are you serious! Sandpaper! Good heavens! I ... err ... will raid the garage if I am desperate... lol.

Thanks for your advice. I will look into your paper recommendations, and see whether they have that in stock here in SA.

[Dougwas]

Great job Wandrin Dreamer!!:thumbsup: You are going to be hooked on pastels now. Believe me, I know.:rolleyes: You should pop over to the Pastel Forum if you have any questions. There are alot of helpful, friendly people there who will answer any and all of your questions. There is also plenty of info that can be a big help to you.

Welcome to WC and pastels.


Doug

[Wandrin_Dreamer]

Thanks Doug! I will pop on over very shortly (once I have taken a pic of the portrait I did for a friend). It would make a nice change to get constructive commentary and crit from folks who know what they are talking about.

And you are right. I am hooked on pastels.

Roz

[Jo Castillo]

Roz, We will see you over in the Pastel Forum. Lots of fun goes on there.

Jo

[ponting]

My goodness!! Look at all of the people that have been here while I have been asleep!! :eek: Thanks so much Deidre for pointing out to me that this thread doesn't close. :p Duhhh! :D

A thank you and a hug also to the rest of you keeping this going in my absence http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/23-May-2008/34523-34523-grouphug.gif Maybe this will re-establish my link to it and I will catch any future posts.

Roz...what an absolutely wonderful painting...and with only 12 colours!! :clap: :clap: :clap: You are amazing. I shall have to check out here what you have done since this. :cat:

And then there is you Lorene....Something this detailed is so difficult on suede but you have pulled it of lady!! I am so impressed!! ...especially if you are following my instuctions...as you have found, they don't really work on suede. :p I can bet I will find you in the animal forum now...I will check that too.

Thanks ever so much to one and all....Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[ponting]

know im verry late but i wanted to partipiciaid (difficult word sorry :-)) i'm new i learn alot with this step by step painting thanks alot dianna i hope sometime i can draw like you its ooooooooh so biautiful
here's a picture of my painting for now its not yet finished
:)

Hello Nadia...I do hope that you finished this and will post it here. I will PM you and see what you are up to now. :p

Cheers, Dianna

[*Deirdre*]

Hi Dianna! Lovely to see you're back with us again!:wave: :wave: I won't ask if you've been busy...I think I know what a pastelaholic you are by now! :p :D I think I may have missed a few in here...if so, I apologise, but I see you did have some feedback from each other, so well done for the mutual support!:clap:

[ponting]

Hi Dei :heart: ...I am still not subscribed to this thread. I didn't receive a notice of your post. I will try unsubscribing and then resubscribing to see if that works to connect me once again. Any other suggestions to get it to work?

Cheers, Di :cat:

[*Deirdre*]

Dianna...have you changed your profile/ options at any time? I saw in mine that When you post a new thread, or reply to a topic, you can choose to automatically add that thread to your list of subscribed threads, with the option to receive email notification of new replies to that thread.
Default Thread Subscription Mode:
Maybe you changed it in there?:confused: :)

[ponting]

Well...there you go Deirdre...I did as I said and I received this one from you after I resubscribed so maybe that is all it needed. We shall see. If anyone finds that I am not responding to a comment here after a reasonablre amount of time, please do PM me and rattle my cage. :D

Cheers, Di :thumbsup:

[Pastel_Love]

Hello everyone,

is this class still running and may I post a result here or where. Please help a newbie to pastels. :rolleyes:

However - Dianna - thank you so very much for doing this tutorial!


Greetings, Martina

[ponting]

Hi Martina...and welcome!! :wave:

You may certainly post your painting...love to see it! Cheers, Di

[Pastel_Love]

Thank you, Dianna!

Here it is:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2008/147280-Diannas_Allsorts.jpg

The size is about 13 x 20 cm (I had to crop it because one of our cats decided to leave a footprint in the left lower corner) on Artspectrum Colourfix paper.

C & C is verrrrrrry :smug: welcome and appreciated.

[ponting]

Martina...Sounds like you have a Brat Cat like mine!! :lol: Definitely not the pet to have around pastels. :(

I took the opportunity to check out your web site and am amazed that someone who hasn't done any type of art for 40 years can produce works that only need a little tweaking. :thumbsup:

I see by most of your paintings that what you need to work on that will take you to the next level very quickly, is your values. This will for sure involve getting yourself some very dark pastels. All sets that you purchase contain a few but never enough and never dark enough. I fooled with your painting in PhotoShop to give you an idea of the difference you can obtain just working with values.

Firstly I simply desaturated your painting or eliminated the colour and left only the values. I see that you have about 5 different values in here...that would be white, black and about three shades of grey. Changing colour doesn't necessarily alter the value so three different colours side by side can lack pizazz if they are all too close to the same value.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2008/34523-gray_scale.jpg

Now here is an idea of what this would look like if only the values were changed.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2008/34523-value_change_desaturation.jpg

That adds not only that pizazz we are looking for but makes the painting much easier to "read".

The steps I used to get this result were just to darken the shadow sides and lighten the outermost edges of the sunlit side.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2008/34523-deeper_values.jpg

Above is the darkening process and below I have lightened just a few areas to allow for an even wider value range.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Jul-2008/34523-lighter_values.jpg

Now if you can get yourself some dark pastels you can accomplish this with no difficulty whatsoever.

Hope this is helpful...if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. I am heading out of town for a few days but will monitor my email so I should catch you if you write. If not, I will certainly get back to you next week when I am home.

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Pastel_Love]

Hello Dianna,

thank you so much for your warm and encouraging words.
And then - thank you for explaining the value thingy in a way I at least understand it!

I can see that my values are not very clear defined - and I know that I fear the darks a little bit. :rolleyes:

Hm - I think I have to put away this fear. Now - looking at what you did and knowing where I can push the darks it is much easier.
Thank you so much for showing me this.:)
And I will order some more pastels - this is a wonderful medium!!!!

Have nice days, Martina.

PS: Yes, we have such a brat cat - or better 8 brat cats here. :eek: I think it is better not to let them "paint with me". *lol

[Pastel_Love]

I td to improve my allsorts the way you suggested, Dianna. It was not very easy becauee the paper was full but I think I achieved a little bit.

Thankfully I received a test package from Schmincke with 4 oranges, white and a blue stick (wonderful pastels) and used them.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Jul-2008/147280-Diannas_Allsorts_2.jpg

[ponting]

That's a MAJOR difference Martina:clap: :clap: :clap:

Just think of what you can do with some really dark pastels. I just picked out a set of 60 very dark Terry Ludwig's that Terry will market as "Dianna Ponting Darks". Here's a shot of them if you care to see.

Keep up the excellent work....Cheers, Di

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jul-2008/34523-DRP-darks-small.jpg

[Goewyn]

Oooooh purty. I want! :lol:

-- Linda

[ponting]

Oooooh purty. I want! :lol:

-- Linda
Oh yah...eye candy if I have ever seen it!!

Cheers, Di :lol:

[*Deirdre*]

Just think of what you can do with some really dark pastels. I just picked out a set of 60 very dark Terry Ludwig's that Terry will market as "Dianna Ponting Darks". Here's a shot of them if you care to see.

Ooooh! What a sight to wake up to! I can see my next Christmas present and Birthday present all rolled into one!:D :clap: Fabulous choices!!

[ponting]

Wake up too??? Do you ever sleep? By my reckonning it is about 6 am there. :lol:

Perhaps I should start a thread just about these new little babies...so luscious!!
:D Dianna

[*Deirdre*]

Wake up too??? Do you ever sleep? By my reckonning it is about 6 am there. :lol:

Perhaps I should start a thread just about these new little babies...so luscious!!
:D Dianna
I fell asleep at about 9pm, last, after my art show finished!:lol: And you're right...our pastel friends will be so excited to hear about these...you'd better go and start one over there now! But then you have to come back here! Promise?:D :wave:

[Pastel_Love]

Thank you Dianna! You really know how to encourage!!!!

GOSH - these darks are so bright!!! Now - looking at the "Ponting Darks" - I know what you all are talking about - I can see and imagine very well that those colours making a painting very bright and living and they give more "drama".

Pitily I have no possibility to purchase them here and ordering in US is awfully expensive (shipping, tax etc...).

Is the Sennelier-set "pure dark" comparable?

[*Marina*]

Hi Pastel love,

I don't know whether the Sennelier dark set is comparable because I never had a Terry Ludwig pastel (same reasons), but I do have the Sennelier dark set and I use them a lot. Very useful set to have.

[Pastel_Love]

Thanks Marina,
this helps a lot - especially after having a look at your homepage and your wonderful paintings. :heart:

I read that you use Wallis paper - where do you purchase it? In NL?

[ponting]

Oh...I'll be back. :lol: Never fear!!

Cheers, Di

[*Marina*]

Thanks Martina about the positive comments about my website. The first lot of Wallis paper I bought from Jackie Simmonds in the UK. Last week I ordered some paper from DickBlick in the US but it has not arrived yet so don't know whether I have to pay import duties. Price is quite reasonable if you compare it with Colourfix or Sennelier LaCarte bought in Europe.

[Artistammy]

I've got the dark set of Sennelier & they've been invaluable. Some of them are so dark they almost seem black but aren't & add much more to a painting. I like the texture of all the Terry Ludwigs a little better but I really like the colors of the Sennelier. I only have one dark Terry Ludwig.
Tammy

[Inki C]

Hello,
I did this 2 times:
1 with my set of 24 pencils on canson paper,
and the second with my new sets: rembrandt and conté (and some real Unison pastels) on colourfix.
It was fun to do. (Learned even more the second time.)
Maybe I'll try to do better when I finally can get some good sanded paper.
I know now that it's really important to have the right materials.
Thanks for this lesson Dianna, I love your work!
Ingrid
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Aug-2008/150011-eigen_met_conte_zwart_rembrand_foto_2.JPG
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/24-Aug-2008/150011-IMGP1813.JPG

[Inki C]

:)

[ponting]

Well Hello Ingrid!! :wave: Wow, I must say that while both paintings are great, I can really see the progression with viewing them side by side...and not even so much in the use of pastel or color but the leap you have taken in comprehending the depicting of form and shape. Each candy stands on it’s own in the second painting and although the addition of more colors to your palette is a bonus, it is your understanding of how to use them that is making this work so well.

Great job milady!! :thumbsup: ....and thank you for the kind words....Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Inki C]

Thank you Dianna,
Wow, it's so nice to hear you like my painting...

I tried to work with oils and watercolor before, but never had the results that I have now with the pastels... it's so great that I can just pick them up and paint whenever I want to: no mess with cleaning brushes, etc... :p
Looking at you're work makes me want to paint...

So when I found the WIP: ornamental - cherries, I had to paint it too.
Did it on watercolor-paper with colourfix-primer. My fingers still hurt from the blending:p (can't find good paper here:( )

I do hope you'll write that book...I need it!
Ingrid

[ponting]

Great work Ingrid. I have read your bio and you sound like an incredibly busy lady but if you ever have time to pursue a career in art, I am sure you will do well.

For those of you that have not seen my WIP of "Ornamental Cherries”, I wish to remind you that it is a copywrited piece as are all WIPs and copies like this are for the artists’ practice only and not to be offered for sale. I know that Ingrid is aware of this but not all of us are, so an occasional reminder never hurts.

Thanks again Ingrid, for taking the time to participate. Seeing the results makes all the work worthwhile!

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Inki C]

Hi,
Thank you Dianna, I still think I have to learn a lot.
But maybe I'll start with making some portraits for my friends and family...

I don't have time for art-lessons or workshops, so I learn from books and wetcanvas...( I learned all of my hobbies from books :) )
I really think you're a great teacher !
Ingrid

[gourdburner]

Don't know if anyone is still working in this class, but wanted to give it a try anyway. I'm using Rembrandts soft pastels and Carbothello and Kohinoor pencils on wallis belgian mist paper 9x12. This has been a great class and I've learned so much just reading through it. Wouldn't I just love to take a workshop!!
Oh well, here's my first night's effort. Hope to work on it a little more tonight but probably not much. Tomorrow's another of those nasty workdays. Maybe one day I'll get good enough to do this full time! Ha!!! I can dream, can't I?!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Sep-2008/52477-candy_1.JPG

[ponting]

Wow Debbie...you have an excellent eye for colour!!
This is looking great already so I will just sit back and watch here. :thumbsup:

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[gourdburner]

Well thank you Dianna! I'm pretty new to pastels and to color as I've always worked mostly in graphite. But I'm loving these pastels! The one stripe that keeps jumping out at me is the reflected white layer on the first piece. I don't have dark lavender and so had to improvise and I'm not satisfied with that one. Do you think laying a gray over it would help?

[ponting]

I think that colour works well Debbie. The important idea is to have a darker and cooler colour than that in the candy and it works for me.

I see a few things that you might like to think about when you get to other candies so I have commented on them here. The only other thing I did in the photo that I didn't mark was to darken slightly the shadow side of the same candy as we were discussing...#1 candy. Another point to keep in mind is that these candies, when fresh, are pliable so be sure to retain that thought when forming them. We are thinking pliable rather than rigid squares....a few flaws and bends are good.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Sep-2008/34523-Debbie.jpg

Cheers Dianna :wave:

[gourdburner]

Hi! Got a little more done this evening. I find my fingers too fat for some of these tight spaces! :( But so far I'm pretty pleased and have to tell you this has helped me soooo much in knowing what I can do with these wonderful little sticks of color! Thanks so much for putting this class together! Just what I've been looking for. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Here's where I am today.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Sep-2008/52477-candy_2.JPG

[gourdburner]

Ok, couldn't stop. But now I've got to and go to bed! Here's my stopping point. I am just loving this!

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Sep-2008/52477-candy_3.JPG

[Goewyn]

Looks great so far! It's amazing how long this thread has lasted. :)

-- Lidna

[ponting]

Hi Linda....nice to see you checking up on us. :lol: :wave:

Debbie...you are going like a house on fire. I am amazed that you are new to this. I have only a couple of suggestions with regards to the round candies. Almost all of the colour is burned out of them on the sunny side and emphasizing this aids in depicting their form and adds contrast to the painting giving it "pop". Also when going from a relatively small photo showing the lumpy texture created by the coconut, one must make the lumps larger in the finished piece being that it is done on a much larger scale. You need to really push your pastel into the paper to form a lump rather than touch down and lumps have shadows so in some places a slightly darker shade of yellow or pinkish coral can help the viewer decipher this.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2008/34523-deb-2.jpg

Great work...you will be done in no time:p

Cheers. Dianna

[gourdburner]

I tried to incorporate your suggestions as I finished up the candy part tonight. I was a little distracted as I had 4 grandchildren visiting. They worked on their stuff while I worked on mine, but they're all little chatterboxes so it was quite noisy in the art room. :D Hope I didn't do anything I can't fix tomorrow! Had a tough time with that last pink piece.

Here's my update.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Sep-2008/52477-candy_4.JPG

[gourdburner]

Well, I think I'm finished and I am so pleased with this! Dianna, your instructions are so great! Clear and concise. What a great class. I hope I can take this forward to other projects. I've definitely bookmarked this for future reference. Thanks again for putting this together.

Here's my painting. Let me know if you see anything far amiss or anything that will help me do better next time. I'm afraid the photo kind of washed out the bg. There is no green in it.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/12-Sep-2008/52477-candy_final.JPG

[*Violet*]

wow ... !! ... i think you did a fabulous job on this !! ... the candies look marvelous as does the fabric and the plate ... a couple shadows though could be added or adjusted ... specifically ... i think both of the two square candies with white bottom layers laying on the black plate need a suggestion of airspace along the edges where they meet the plate to indicate the candies' slightly rounded edges which would cast a thin darker line of shadow onto the reflection ....

and ... regarding the shadow cast onto the rear-most yellow candy ... i think it should be a darker value ... less violet-toned ... more of a non-descript colour ...

again ... these are my thoughts describing my observations ... for the most part, your painting is fabulous !!! ... :thumbsup: ... and :clap::clap::clap:

[ponting]

Hi Debbie...AKA Speedy Gonzales!!

Violet has some great suggestions there and I would add these few. Perhaps the addition of a little of the colour that is found in candy with the X on the right hand side of the picture be put in the shadow area in the candy on the right side of the painting.

The others suggestions just make it more true to life.

You have done and excellent job and am looking forward to seeing some more of your work in the pastel forum!!

Cheers, Dianna :clap: :clap: :clap:

[ponting]

Well guess the "other suggestions" don't count for much unless I post them, do they???

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/13-Sep-2008/34523-DEBBIE-FINAL.jpg

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[gourdburner]

Thank you both for the suggestions. Don't know if I want to go back in a 'mess' with anything on this one, but I will definitely remember them for the next on. :thumbsup:

Dianna, I would absolutely love to take one of your workshops. Unfortunately, you're a looonng way from Birmingham, Alabama. :( Although I have to tell you, I think you could have a full house if you did one here. I was talking to one of the clerks at the art supply store I use the other day and asked if they ever have pastel workshops. They do have watercolor, acrylic and oil. And he said "I wish! We can't find anyone to teach one."

This class has been such a help to me. I was wondering if I'd made a mistake getting into pastels as I love realism and I don't see a whole lot of that with pastels. You've convinced me I can do what I love with pastels. Thank you so much! Hope you don't mind if I post this over in the pastel forum.

[Judi1957]

http://www.fwmagazines.com/product/1249/26


:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Hot off the presses! Get your Pastel Journal and read about our fabulous giving teacher---whom we are extraordinarily fortunate to have!:heart: :heart::heart: :heart: :heart:

Thank-you Dianna!

[ponting]

Oh my goodness....look what I have missed here ! :lol:

Thanks ever so much Judi!! You are a sweetheart!!

Cheers, Dianna

[03ahmed]

Hi Dianna this is my attempt so far.:) It is dead fun:clap::clap:http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Nov-2008/159151-allsorts.JPG

[ponting]

WOW Ian...you have just jumped in there. So glad to hear you enjoy these as much as I do. I know you're new at this and I don't know what you have for colours there and that I am making some suggestions here that you might well not be able to try if you don't have a big selection to work with. However you can keep my observations and use them on something in the future if not here.

Firstly I can see that you handle the medium really well...no real difficulty there. I was wondering what kind of paper you are painting on as it makes quite a difference on how blending works. You have a few candies that you might want to check the perspective on and just shave an edge off here or there but overall this is very good. :thumbsup:

The only real step that would make this really sing would be to boost your values in places This is most important where sides of the square candies are depicted in shadow and with the round ones, the way they darken as they move into the shadow.

In this photo, I have marked areas that if reworked would really show the candy shapes much better. This also includes areas that could be lightened (The black 'O"s)

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Nov-2008/34523-Ian-SHAPES.jpg

I this one I have darkened the areas that I marked out above here....plus just a touch here and there in other areas.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Nov-2008/34523-Ian_DARKS.jpg

And in this one I have brightened some of the sunlit areas.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Nov-2008/34523-Ian-WHITES.jpg

Beside your original version here.....

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/29-Nov-2008/34523-Ian.jpg

Now you should be able to pan between all of the photos and see what a difference these small differences can make.

Thanks ever so much Ian for dropping in and will await more posts.

Cheers, Dianna:cat:

[03ahmed]

Thanks Dianna for taking your time to look at my picture and tell me what need correcting. I will definetly fix it and will post more when the corrections have been fixed. Thanks again for looking.:)

[ponting]

Not so much "corrections" Ian....as there is really nothing wrong with your painting. Only ways in which it might be even better. :p

Cheers, Di

[03ahmed]

Lol thanks Dianna:) I changed the picture according to your suggestions lol and this is the finished piece and could you please tell me what i can do to make it better. Thanks:wave::)

[03ahmed]

Lol am so stupid i forgot to post the picture. lol http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Dec-2008/159151-allsorts2.JPG

[ponting]

Hi Ian. That certainly gives more definition and I like the way you have separated the refection from the candy. That area reads much better. http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Dec-2008/34523-star_gold.gif There's your gold star!! :lol:

Now as you move onto more paintings, you can collect new colors with which to do them. Your selection will grow and everything will get much easier with experience and a larger collection of colours.

Take care Ian and thanks ever so much for trying this. See you in the pastel forum!! :wave:

Cheers, Dianna

[03ahmed]

Thanks very much for you kind words Dianna. :)

[Gerri Mc]

Hi Dianna,

In your supplies list, you mention a white charcoal pencil wihich is not a pastel. What is it made of? - can't actually be charcoal (can it?).

Looking forward to trying this out.

Gerri.

[ponting]

You are very welcome Ian :thumbsup:

Hi Gerri. No it can't be charcoal can it....what an oxymoron that description is. :lol: However it is called a "Charcoal White" pencil #558 and it is made by General's. It is a USA based company but they do sell globally. The next closest thing but by no way the same, is a Pitt white pastel pencil.

Thanks for taking the time to read this looooong thread and please don't hesitate to ask away if you require any more information.

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Emma Llewelyn]

Hey, I just found this class.. I know its really late but though tI'd post my painting on the offchance someone still checks it...

Its not quite finished, the tablecloth is only partly done, but Uni assignments came acallin so it will have to be put aside for a little while!!!

Let me know what you think, thanks so much!!! =]

[ponting]

Wow Emma...you have a real good handle on the use of color. This is wonderful. My only suggestion would be to add a little length to the one side of the plate as seen here.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/20-Jan-2009/34523-P9040011b.jpg

Thanks ever so much for joining us. I hope you post your finished piece. :thumbsup:

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Emma Llewelyn]

thanks, ill put that in. And yeah ill post my finished piece when I have time to finish it.
Will you be doing another of these classes? I'd love to try another one!!!

[ponting]

I may do that but most likely not through the Classroom as I don't think this was what they had in mind when they asked me for this one.

Cheers, Di :p

[Tdot]

Hello I am new to the pastel forum and thought I would post my results. I know this class was a good while ago but I am new to pastels, (this is my 4th pastel) and thought this looked like a good way to learn. I was right I really learned allot and really enjoyed doing this. I see lots of room for improvement so if anyone has any suggestions feel free. So far I love working with pastels, I have tried other color mediums and they just didn't click with me the way the pastels did when I first tried them a month or so ago. I was limited with my color selection and didn't have many of the colors. I have a set of 30 rembrandts and 40 half sennelier and it was done on colourfix paper. Thanks for the class it was allot of fun and I really enjoyed it, I only hope I can do as well when I try something on my own without such wonderful guidance.

[ponting]

Hi Tammy and welcome!! :wave: I’m happy to have anyone join in and am pleased that you enjoyed this and that you did such a wonderful job all on your own. :thumbsup:

There would be only a few suggestions that I might give and these would be only to better an already good painting.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Mar-2009/34523-tdallsorts_copy.jpg

Firstly are the parallel edges of the plate that you see I have drawn here. If you are going to crop the top edge entirely then this doesn’t really matter, however if not, I would straighten the top edge rather than mess with the bottom where you would also have to alter the refection that follows the same line.

The round candies really do have LARGE bumps on them. They can be quite lumpy. I have gone in and enlarged and softened up some of the whites and added some of the candy colour in other areas to take away some of the smaller dots. Also their edges looked a little sharp so I softened some of them up.

Some of your transitions from shadow to light or from one colour to another such as in the area of the black X could have been softer. If you have trouble blending them, it is usually a case of not yet having applied enough pastel.

The black filling of the white candy above the X turns the corner and continues down the side of the candy. I have corrected this at the point of the arrow.

The large circled area on the left contains the reflections and this would look better should you choose to blend it ever so slightly so that the reflection is slightly blurrier than the real candy. This will help separate one from the other and appear more realistic. The same could be done….ever so slightly for the yellow/orange reflection at the foreground edge of the plate. That entails just putting you finger down and jiggling it rather than actually moving it.

As I said, already a good painting, these little things will only add to it.

I have had several requests for a new paint-along and hope to do one in the next couple of months. Perhaps you will join us.

Cheers, Dianna :wave: :cat:

[Tdot]

Dianna thank you for the wonderful suggestions, I will definitely finish this up now. I really enjoyed this and would love to join in on another class when you do one. I visited your web site and love your work. Thanks again for the time you put in on this, it was allot of fun and I am really hooked on pastels now :)

[*Deirdre*]

I have had several requests for a new paint-along and hope to do one in the next couple of months. Perhaps you will join us.

Cheers, Dianna :wave: :cat:
Oooh Di! I saw that! When, when, when??? Count me in too please!:wave: :D Positively shivering with excitement!!

[ponting]

You are MOST welcome Tammy and thank you so much for the accolades. Your own love of the medium is obvious in your work. :wave:

Good day Deirdre...can't keep anything from you can I. :lol: Still working on catch-up here before I can begin and still thinking of a good subject.

Take care and keep dirty everyone...http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Mar-2009/34523-3_fingerprints.jpg

Cheers, Dianna

[birdlady]

ME TOO!!! ME TOO!!!!! I was in love with the last one and it was so much fun. I would love to get my finngers dirty again. :D

Positively shivering with excitement!!

Yep me too Deirdre


Laurie

[ponting]

:lol:

[gvmillett]

Dear Dianna:
I originally saw your work in Pastel Artist and showed my husband and said "Can you believe that is done in pastel?" Then when I found your posting here, I thought that I could learn how to be more precise, even though I was sure I couldn't possibly come close to the photo. Well, I would post my almost finished work tonight, but it came out so well I took it to work, with the photo, and received so many compliments. I couldn't get the tracing method to work on my Wallis paper so I just freehanded it, but I learned so much about color, value, using "blacks", and being able to be much more precise and realistic than I thought was possible for me. I spent about 7 hours on the painting on Sunday and a few more on Monday and its virtually done. The right side is all wonky and I will have to crop that out. A question about this though. I'm worried about the very black pastel dust getting on the tablecloth, and/or mucking up the matting/framing process if I don't leave a white margin (as I normally would have with the artist's tape I use to attach to the board). Any suggestions? And I will post the painting when I bring it back home tomorrow. But THANK YOU again. And to any newbie who finds this thread, a good paper is key, you need really good darks (like Unison or Terry Ludwig), the white plastic eraser works really well on Wallis, but I didn't have so much luck with the clicking one - maybe the difference in paper? Again thanks.

Marilee

[ponting]

Hello Marilee...how nice to see you here! :wave:

You are so enthusiastic that I can't wait to see your piece. Isn't it so re-enforcing when others love what we toil over? I see you are very new to posting so welcome you and feel honored that you opted to make this one of your first posts.

I work very little on Wallis so really can't comment on why some things work for it and others don't. I do know that the white transfer paper works really well on it. Once you have traced the drawing to the paper of course you will have white on white which you can't see but if you run your fingers lightly over a neutral colored pastel, you can then rub them over the Wallis and the tackiness of the transfer will pick up the pastel. Like writing with invisible lemon juice when we were kids, then ironing it to activate it....Presto!! ...so it works for this.

I am not certain with Wallis but with my La Carte, I have very little dust drop down during the framing process. This is not necessarily true when I am not using my fingers to blend. In either case, I really "spank" the back of my board before cutting through the tape to release the paper but in the case of unblended pastels, I usually frame them with a non-impact tool.

But in the event some dust does fall down, I use my spacer of 3/16" foam core to keep the dust from falling down between the mat and glass. I will insert my matting process here which is much easier than explaining. :lol:

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/01-Apr-2009/34523-Framing_with_spacer_diagram_800_.jpg

See you later....Di :cat:

[gvmillett]

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/04-Apr-2009/151147-DSC05231_edited.JPG Dear Dianna: Thank you much for the help with the framing. I took it in today to get it framed and the gentleman who owns the shop and gallery asked if I did art professionally. I explained about the website and that it was just a study piece. But I was flattered anyway! So, if I can figure out how to add the photo...here it is.
Marilee

[ponting]

Marilee, you have just done such a wonderful job...all by your little lonesome there. :lol: I don't know what level you were at before but I am impressed with where you are at present. I am most impressed with the round candies and how you have really gotten the sense of shape and shadow down so well. :thumbsup: You're going to love having this on your wall and I hope it brings you years of happy feelings about your accomplishments. :smug:

I thank you for joining us and hope to see you post here regularly. :p

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[gvmillett]

Thanks so much. I had great fun with it.
Marilee

[ponting]

You're most welcome :) Dianna

[LePoneee]

This is VERY helpful! Thank you so much!

[ponting]

Thank you so very much Halee and welcome to Wet Canvas:wave:
It's great to have someone so young here. :p

Come again...Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[lildip]

what is "ponting"?, exactly. I saked this question before and never saw an answer. I'm new to wet canvas forums

[Weezy]

Nobody replied because, if you look at the message above yours, you will see Dianna Ponting's reply.:angel:
www.ponting.com

[ponting]

what is "ponting"?, exactly. I asked this question before and never saw an answer. I'm new to wet canvas forums
Oh my goodness....have people been "ponting" again??

Just joking lildip! I don't know in what context you've heard it used but "Ponting" is simply my last name and if people have been tossing it about, it's probably to do with my teaching or my artwork. What every you heard, I do hope it was good http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Apr-2009/34523-bow_down.gif ...you never know with some of these people from WC...they get into the sauce and can't tell what will come out of their fingertips http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/11-Apr-2009/34523-Drunk.gif ...or is that just one of my traits? :lol:

In any event...BIG WELCOME to WC!! :wave: I hope you are enjoying it so far? Are you particularly interested in pastel or just enjoying everything so far?

Cheers, Dianna:cat:

[*Deirdre*]

I'm not pointing exactly...but I can assure you that Ponting is the BEST and well worth paying attention to!:D

[LyndaN]

This thread is amazing! Dianna although I live in Alberta now most of my family lives in Surrey and you have me thinking that the next time I am coming out there for a visit I should check to see if you have any of your workshops on during that time. Do you ever teach in Alberta?

I am quite new to pastels (2 workshops) but love them and after reading your tips here I can't wait to get them out again!

[ponting]

Thank you so much Lynda...I love it when people get excited about a medium! I have taught in Calgary and may do so again but yes, you are always welcome to come back to sunny :lol: BC for a workshop. :D

Cheers, Dianna :wave:

[Emma Llewelyn]

Hey again Diana,
I did a study from one of your photos, with the cherries and silver jug. I changed things a tiny bit but its still very similar. I know this thread is for the licorice allsorts study, but if I put the pic I did up here would you care to take a lot at it for me? it would be amazing having such an inspiring artist critiquing it. Also, with copyright rules, can i use it for anything or would it be classed as unoriginal for comps etc?
Thanks! Emma

[ponting]

Hello Emma and welcome to WC :wave:

You could post it here or send my a Private Message with the painting attached. I would be most happy to comment on it.

As for copywrite, there are no issues with using anything in the Resource library. The only issue is with the place you wish to show it. If they have restrictions such as only excepting works that are done from the artist's own resources, then that would have to be considered. But to paint and sell on your own...no problem.

Thanks ever so much for stopping in. I will watch for your painting one way or the other. Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Emma Llewelyn]

Here it is. the photo isn't great, it's darker in the dark parts. Thanks for looking at it for me! I haven't received any formal instruction apart from a 5day course so I kind of make it up as I go along lol
Oh and you can kind of see a funny line down the jug, that was a crease in the paper.

Thanks!

[ponting]

Well Emma...you have done marvelously for being 'almost' self-taught!! My only sugguestion is that I might have added a healthier stem to that top cherry. It was a little dried out in the photo but you can take liberties there.

Nice work lady!!

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Nansketch]

Dianna,

Thank you for this great class on pastels, it is an inspiration. After working through many of the classes, I generally worked in the D&S forum occassionally venturing into a new area. Some better, some worse. Lately, I've dabbled in pastels -- finding this class thread -- it is GREAT!!!

Here is my attempt -- I worked with the supplies on hand. A set of conte hard pastels (24) and a basic set of soft pastels, Rembrandts - both bought and set aside until about a month ago. The paper is a med grey pastel paper, backside -- too pebbly -- but now I understand more about the paper.

You are very generous with your time, it is very much appreciated!!!!

I see a number of areas that could use some work but overall I'm pleased with the outcome.

Many thanks

Nancy

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/19-Sep-2009/141858-DSC010250001.JPG

[ponting]

Well now Nancy, I can certainly see why you are pleased with the results. This is great! You could use some more darks for those shadow areas but that's so hard to come by in an ordinary set of pastels.

This is a keeper anyway you look at it. Bravo Lady!!! :thumbsup: I hope you intend to more of these.

PS...I am not sure what the D&S forum is but I hope it's not kinky. :lol:

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[*Deirdre*]

PS...I am not sure what the D&S forum is but I hope it's not kinky. :lol:

Cheers, Dianna :cat:
DIANNA!!!!:eek: :eek: :eek: D&S is Drawing and Sketching.......:smug: :lol:

[ponting]

Whew!! I knew that. :cat: Always a treat to hear from you Deirdre! Am coming to Tuscany and Greece in 2011, perhaps we can do something in your area also. :D Would love even to touch bases with you.

Cheers, Dianna

[*Deirdre*]

Dianna...you are welcome to come and stay anytime...you don't even have to pick up a duster!!:D Who knows...my new Studio may be built by then!!:smug: :D

[Nansketch]

Dianna,

Thank you for the comments. Your step by step instructions were wonderful, especially the photos with notations. I'll hope for more in the future.

Yes, Deidre keeps an eye on us in the D&S Forum, so only occasional kinkiness.
Many thanks, and Deidre -- thanks to you too!!!!!
Nancy

[ponting]

OOOOH I'm excited for you Deirdre...as studio!! Will have to try and see that for sure. Well you have two years to build it. That might be enough time.

Nancy...thank you. I believe the D&S Forum must have been where I caught the scavenger hunt this spring. What a lot of fun that was. Keep meaning to return. I do recall seeing a kinky soda can on there once. :lol:

Take care ladies...and keep dusty! :wave:

[Gerri Mc]

Diana,

I have just come across this terrific thread (link provided by Charlie - thanks). I'm a beginner in pastels and I'm hoping to join in. I see from your website that you had workshops in Ireland a while back. Have you any plans to return soon?
Love your work.:clap:

[ponting]

Hi Gerri and welcome. :wave: I will on an art retreat for the next week but if you post something, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

As for Ireland, I had hoped to set something up in the UK next year but don't know if the timing is that good with the economy as it is. If not, I will be doing Tuscany and Greece in the fall of 2011 and might try to connect up with something in your neck of the woods at that time....I will, however, let you know if anything does surface meanwhile.

In the meantime....welcome aboard! Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Gerri Mc]

Thanks Dianna,

I'll get working. Have fun on the retreat.

[Gerri Mc]

Hi Dianna,

Just posting a WIP. Not a lot done yet. It is on W&N pastel paper which I know isn't recommended. I'm waiting for my good stuff to arrive but decided to get cracking anyway. For some reason the tracing method was not working for me so I just started sketching out each part as I came to it.

Any advice at this stage?

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Oct-2009/96335-Licorice_Oct_09_003.jpg

[ponting]

Hi Gerri...whatever works for you...that's what's important here. I don't know what your range of pastels is so if I say, you need to use a darker value and you don't have one then you may have to mix two layers together to get the desired results. On can add some black but it tends to gray down the whole painting so you Will have to decide.

You have done an excellent job of sketching it in and laying down the foundation colors...all you need do now is some tweaking to make it sing.

I will show you here, my suggestions then explain how I went about putting them to use.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Oct-2009/34523-licorice.jpg

The three joined arrows are pointing to reflections in the glass and these should be much darker that the original candy so whether it is the white areas or the colored ones, do keep them several shades darker. Adding a blue does this but it could even be more grayed down than I have shown below.

The pink parallel lines indicate that the cube formed should be squared up so if you remove everything on the "X" side of the line, that would do the job.

Lightening the sunny side edges or darkening the shadow side gives your objects more form so along with the areas I pointed out, you will see that I have done both, I have added white to the sunny sides and darkened some areas on the shady sides of many of the candies in your piece.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Oct-2009/34523-licorice_2.jpg

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/15-Oct-2009/34523-licorice_3.jpg

These are small changes that make a huge difference.

Cheers, Dianna

[Gerri Mc]

Dianna, This is brilliant - the addition of the ultramarine makes such a difference. Thank you so much. I'll correct this and move on a bit.

I'm attending a pastel workshop on Saturday which will be given by Eddie Yen Sang - can't wait.

[Gerri Mc]

It took a while to get going again but when I did - I just kept at it. I think it is nearly finished now - probably needs some more layers particularly on the whites. Would be most grateful if you could have a look Dianna.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2009/96335-Pastel_Licorice_09_001.jpg

[ponting]

Wow Gerri, I can see a huge difference in your understanding of the lights and shadows now. Your class with Edward must have been a great success! My eye can now easily separate the real candy from the relected ones.

I don't think your whites ...or the whites of the white candies need any work, but I do think you could still take the lights another step further. I sense it's a matter of painting what you see and not what you think you see. Kind of like a child paints an apple red because that is how they think of an apple whereas you as an artist will see the many colours that make up an apple.

The sides of the candies hit by the white arrows are seen as the lighter side while the blue are the shady side so anything on these two sides can be enhanced by the addition of either white or that good old ultramarine blue.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2009/34523-96335A.jpg

I can see that you have indeed lightened the lighter sides which tells me you know how to see these differences. Now you can add additional white lightly on top of the lighter shades to increase that difference. There are times when the sun burns the colour almost completely out of an object so the addition of whites just emulates this process. This is where we have to paint what we see in that yellow candy not what we think we should see. The brilliant yellow of the candy becomes a very light lemon in the sun. As an artist we can even exaggerate this difference to enhance the illusion of light and shadow which in turn enables the viewer to realize the shapes and form of each candy very easily. In the same vein...darkening of the shady side with the addition of blue to all colours completes the process.

The shadow side here has had blues added...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2009/34523-96335B.jpg

And then white has been added on top of the yellows and pinks here to give it that final dimension.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/09-Nov-2009/34523-96335c.jpg

I work this process throughout every still life I do.... viewing...not the whole painting...but each individual candy, grape, crayon, etc as a separate object and making the decision as to whether or not the light, shadow and values I have laid down produce the effect of creating a three dimentional object. When I am satisfied that I have achieved this to the best of my ability, I move on to the next "candy".

Excellent work Gerri...you will soon outshine your son. :D

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Gerri Mc]

Thank you so much Dianna. The class with Edward was inspiring and great fun too. I'll make the adjustments as you suggest. I've really enjoyed this one - thanks again for the help.

[ponting]

You are more than welcome Gerri

Cheers, Di

[jmp]

what a great thread, and a fun subject. Too bad I found it so late. Diana, it is so helpful of you to devote your time to this. Thanks

[ponting]

Thank you Jennifer...you do some wonderful art yourself there!! :thumbsup:

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna :-)

I was wondering if you still check in on this thread as im thinking about tackling it to help me get out of my slump.. if not i may just put the finished drawing in the main pastel forum..
regardless thnks so much or such a wonderful lesson! and great subject matter :-)

Naomi

[ponting]

Hello Naomi...yes, as you can see, I am still connected and do check on things when newcomers like yourself pop in. :p I would be happy to give you a hand with anything you wish to know. Give it a go!! :thumbsup:

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[rasberry]

awesome! thanks so much.. i will get started today! i really appreciate that you are happy to give up your time to help beginners like me :-)
Naomi

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna,

Well i got started today.. its been a little frustrating as my colours seem o be darker than yours even the ones that i have that are the same as the ones your using.. like the nupastel... so i have been adding a bit of white to lighten them up if i think it needs it.. is this the right thing to do?
I think i completely stuffed up the orange candy.. the blue colour i kept picking seemed to dark in comparison to yours.. and im a little unsure which was ultramarine as i dont have labels on a lot of my pastels.. silly me...

Im using wallis.. and nupastels and polychromos mainly.. its kinda weird doing the outline on the candys or when trying to do a line esp with the nupastels.. kinda feel like im trying to draw on wet paper with a texta.. kinda like it bleeds and dosent make a direct mark if you know what i mean lol...

Im sure i will get better control with more practice...
Anyways im having fun.. though its so hard to not be a perfectionist but im working on it lol...

please done hesitate to tell me anything im doing wrong!

thanks Dianna
Naomi

[ponting]

Lookin' good Naomi!! :thumbsup:

The Polychomos have a couple of good Ultramarines whereas the NuPastel has only one fairly deep one. These would be the blue that tends look as if someone has added a wee bit of lavender to the mix. They are technically known as red/blues but that doesn't really conger up the right vision so stick with the lavender feel as opposed to teals, navy, cobalt or sky blue. If you eliminate all of those, you will have ultramarine left. :lol:

Do you have the suggested General white pencil and the Pitt black? That makes a huge difference when you want to get those fine edges.

It's just fine to add white to make a lighter colour but you have to watch about adding black to make anything darker. It's okay on occasion but if one uses it continually instead of actual dark pigments, paintings begin to look like death warmed over....very grey. However, that being said....in a black reflection like the plate, they can work well.

Also, when adding something like the ultramarine to the orange...if you feel the stick is too dark or too hard, sometimes it works best to apply it to your fingertip and add it that way. It goes on more smoothly and you can even lighten it with the addition of white before applying it. Kind of like finger painting. :p

You take care....cheers, Di :cat:

[rasberry]

Hi Di,

Thanks so much for all the input! esp the explanation about ultramarine.. i have only really drawn animals in the past.. so still life brings out a whole gamet of colours i have no idea of lol.. time to get learning!

Its so much fun blending the colours together.. i like how everything changes once you blend.. certainly more forgiving than pencil!

I have the white charcoal and the pitt pastel.. though i think the problem is im finding it hard to get a sharp point... the sharpeners seem to break the leads.. so i have been using a knife and i keep getting to scared the end is going to break so i end up using it relatively bluntly lol...
Im sure im making things much harder for myself..

What a cool idea about blending on the fingers before you add the colour! i would never have thought of that!...

Anyways here is an update...

thanks so much...

Naomi

[ponting]

Looking great Naomi. You are going great guns but then it's to be expected with your background. I don't know how familiar you are with these candies so I will just mention that you could keep your edges a little softer as they roll over into the shadows. These are like soft marzipan so they can have soft edges and irregularities.

Keep it coming...cheers, Dianna :cat:

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna,

Hmm i think im going slightly batty with these lollies lol... lots of concentration needed when you are new to this process.. im having loads of fun though and im excited to be finally learning about this medium!

Thanks for the observation on the irregularities on the lollies.. for some reason im drawing them as if they are little lego lollies lol.. must be because im focusing so much on trying to work out the colours etc.. i tried to make the yellow one a little more life like.. and i will go back over the other ones and try and mess up the shapes a little so they are not so neat..

and yes we do have licorice allsorts here.. unfortunatly i have been known to eat a whole pack and feel obscenely sick afterwards!

Im not sure if i have got the reflected ones quite right or not.. im walking away for abit to have a break and come back with a clear mind...
i think i got a bit confused with what colours i had already used as i kept chaning them because i didnt think i had the right colour.. so the reflected colours arent quite right...

thanks again for the input! im really having fun learning pastels.. they are such a forgiving and versatile medium hey!

Oh and next time i dont think i will try this on white wallis paper.. made some parts a little confusing lol

Naomi

[ponting]

Oh no!! Another allsorts addict. They should have a club for us!

Looking just fine here. once you have the reflection to your liking you may want to soften it up a bit...it is a reflection in a not so shiny saucer after all. lol

Cheers, Di :thumbsup:

[rasberry]

Hmm well im starting to struggle i think.. my pink candy dosent look to crash hot nor does my brown one.. i think i need to pay attention to detail a little more... i have also learnt that i really need to learn what colour is what lol... i really have no idea one blue or brown from the next..
Well i think im being hard on myself as usual but i feel like i have started to wreck it a little...
I know i have to darken down my shadows but im a little scared until i put the plate in as im not sure how dark to go lol... yes a commitment phobe!
Normally when i draw i dont complete any individual part until the end just in case its wrong.. its really cool trying a different way..

Do you know what i realised, i think this is the first still life i have ever done!.. its a nice change from all the fur :-)

I'm determined to learn how to use these pastels if its the death of me lol

Oh dont worry im haaving fun too lol ... hmm im starting to think this post is sounding a little bipolar lol ..

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend Dianna?

Naomi

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna,
Hmm i seem to be getting worse not better lol... i posted this one up because im working on the two yellow ones and i can seem to get the colours right.. i havent worked much on the second one yet.. just trying to work out the first one.. the shadow has tuned a kinda muddy green.. and for the life of me im confused how to get some better definition ..
I will start working on the second one in case some light suddenly dawns on me lol

Naomi

[ponting]

Hmm well im starting to struggle i think.. my pink candy dosent look to crash hot nor does my brown one.. i think i need to pay attention to detail a little more... On the contrary Naomi...perhaps you need to pay a little less attention....let the perfectionist in you go and look at the photo and analyze it to see what would make it do what you want to say.

i have also learnt that i really need to learn what colour is what lol... i really have no idea one blue or brown from the next..this is always good but you may just need to actually isolate the colour you are trying to depict. One of the best ways to do this is to take a piece of paper with a three hole punch along the edge....you know...the kind you slip into a three ring binder...and cut around the holes leaving as much white as possible...like about a piece 1.5 inches square. Lay one 'hole' over the colour on the resource photo and the other over the colour you have painted. This makes it very easy to see the discrepancy between the two allowing you to assess whether you are even in the ballpark.

Well i think im being hard on myself as usual but i feel like i have started to wreck it a little...
I know i have to darken down my shadows but im a little scared until i put the plate in as im not sure how dark to go lol... yes a commitment phobe!
Normally when i draw i dont complete any individual part until the end just in case its wrong.. its really cool trying a different way..

Do you know what i realised, i think this is the first still life i have ever done!.. its a nice change from all the fur :-)

I'm determined to learn how to use these pastels if its the death of me lol

Oh dont worry im haaving fun too lol ... hmm im starting to think this post is sounding a little bipolar lol ..

Do you have any fun plans for the weekend Dianna? Watching the Olympics while my roofers hammer overheard. LOL :lol:

Naomi

I have included a clip of some of the things I might do to your piece if it were mine....which it is not. LOL

Cheers Dianna
http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Feb-2010/34523-allsortsx2_copy.jpg

[ponting]

Hi Naomi....we have cross posted at the same time here so I will just add a little shot of what I might have done with the yellow...then I must run to see the last of the games tonight. :lol: The green gold is great for what you want in the shadow area...you just need to soften the edges up a bit and add some additional white highlights. The thing about making small flecks of colour such as the white coconut in the candy is that when we make the painting larger than the photo resource....these dots now become SPOTS and need be much larger than we are inclined to do.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/18-Feb-2010/34523-allsorts5.jpg

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna,

Just wanted to quickly catch you befre you go.. THANKYOU! so much for ammending my drawing.. looks much better.. i will go and apply what you have said.. THANKYOU!.. i really appreciate your help!
go and enjoy the olympics!!!!
Naomi

[rasberry]

Im Melting! phew its so hot here today! hope you had a great weekend watching the olympics! i would kill for some of the nice cool snow lol..
Might be funny to you as you are probably surrounded by it but i have never seen the snow in real life :-)..
Anyways.. onto the drawing.. man still kinda pulling my hair out.. i royally screwed up the colour on the last pink candy and i need to fix the poor yellow guys reflection but i wanted to post something before i have a shower to cool down.. (sweat and pastels dont mix lol)

I need to tidy everything up a bit as well... but i thinik the heat was making me impatient so i rushed a little..

Hopefully i can resurrect this drawing when its cooler lol..

Naomi

[ponting]

Well the heat doesn't seem to be melting your candy or affecting your work as far as I can see Naomi. :thumbsup: You may want to darken the front yellow candy where the 'wheel' rolls down under to make contact with the plate. Because of the darkness of the glass, there is very little light to bounce back and light up that area of the candy.

Keep on truckin' Cheers, Di :wave:

[rasberry]

Hi Dianna :-)

Well im on the downhill straight.. i tidied up some of the allsorts.. and started on the cloth.. for some reason i cant quite get the shadows right on the cloth.. but hopefully fresh eyes will help in the morning...
I'm a lot happier with some of the dimensions and form of the allsorts now...
Anyways its off to bed for me...
The more i work with the pastels the more fun it is! i can't wait till i can use them confidently...

Naomi

[rasberry]

hmm just looking at th pic on here.. the colour is a lot more purple in the shadow under the plate on the drawin.. and the colours have washed out a bit on the allsorts.. must be because i took the photo at night...

[rasberry]

hmm okay well i think this is done.. kinda giving up on it lol... i dont know what i was thinking when it came to the bowl and the composition.. i just rushed in i guess but i went a bit haywire and drew more tha i was supposed to and it ended up being a bit out of shape..
Anyways.. i have learnt so many lessons form this exericse..

Firstly - its ok if you dont do it get it the right the first time.. there is alwyas another drawing to be done

2) learn more about colours, and use the hole in the card idea you gave me to to recognise colours

3) MUST TILT drawing board forward before starting pastel.. otherwise you make a hell of a mess on the rest of the drawing lol

4) Remember what colours you use at the start of the drawing so you dont end up using different ones later lol

5) make sure i have backup white charcoal and balck charcoal pencils cause i ran out lol

6) Learn how to sharpen my pencils better with a blade so they actually have a point lol ( so different than having the precision point of a graphite or colour pencil..


Anyways thanks so much Dianna for this excercise and your help! its invaluable.. i really appreciate you taking the time out to help me

Naomi

[ponting]

Oh my goodness Naomi...how did you slip in there almost week ago without my noticing? I liked your list of 'things learned' and especially laughed at #3...:lol: I can see by not only the list, but by your success here that you pick up things easily and will really thrive in this medium.:thumbsup: I hope you let me know when you post something new so that I can oooh and aahhh over it too. :D

Thanks for joining us....cheers, Dianna :wave:

[rasberry]

HI Dianna :-)

Thanks so much for your comments!.. yes i didnt tilt my drawing board forward as i normally work upright with no tilt on my drafting board for my graphite etc.. but after gettnig pastel everywhere and making a greasy mess on my paper i soon learnt my lesson lol...

Thanks so much for your interest and help. i know the class was over a long time ago so i really appreciate the personal help..

Im fniishing a graphite snow leopard at the moment but once thats done im devoting myself to pastel..
I will def send you a message when i finish my next one..
thanks again


Naomi

[*Deirdre*]

Well done Naomi! You always did listen! :wink2: :wave:

[rasberry]

aww thanks deirdre :-) how could i not listen to all this great advice from awesome teachers! i cant get lessons were i live so i have to soak in all i can from here!..
Naomi

[purpleheather]

Well, Dianna I finally got around to attempting your gorgeous photo. It's almost finished except details in the tablecloth and edges of plate.
It's been a fantastic, fun experience.

c&c welcome

[Meisie]

Anne that is beautiful! I hope Dianna pops in to see this!!

[ponting]

And here I am.....:lol: :wave:

Hello Anne. I saw the finished piece on FaceBook. What a splendid job you did of this! Your colours are rich and your control is great. :clap: :clap: :clap: Thanks so much for joining us.

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[edith]

Such a shame this thread is finished when i just found it. Is there anymore like this going? I have jsut joined the pastel forum - well read teh pastel forum not posted anything. I would love to lern how to use pastels properly so if someone can point me int he direction of other good teaching wips like this one i will be eternally grateful. Thanks in advance,e.

[*Marina*]

Dianna is coming to Europe Something for you?

[arnoud3272]

Such a shame this thread is finished when i just found it. Is there anymore like this going? I have jsut joined the pastel forum - well read teh pastel forum not posted anything. I would love to lern how to use pastels properly so if someone can point me int he direction of other good teaching wips like this one i will be eternally grateful. Thanks in advance,e. As clearly explained in the sticky "Start Here" thread, the classes in this forum are always open. Study the technical tips in the first posts, post your assignments, and you will receive feedback and personal advice.

[ponting]

Hello Edith. :wave: I am sorry, I have been away and needed my bell rung to realize I had had a visitor to my class. Do come back and participate if you wish. I am away a lot this summer but will keep tabs on WC.

Cheers, Dianna :cat:

[Cazza50]

Hi Dianna,

I posted this in the Pastel Studio but Dierdre asked me to post it here also, so that you could see it if you popped in.

I am new to pastels and really enjoyed working on this. My bumpy candies are not quite right, and I lost the tablecloth pattern in the shadow under the plate, but apart from that I am very happy with this.

I couldn't have done it without your wonderful instructions and diagrams though. Thank you so very much. I just wish I had found pastels years ago while the class was live.

So here it is...

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Community/images/10-Feb-2012/965076-finished-allsorts-bigger.jpg

Regards,

Carol

[ponting]

My goodness, Carol....I am hard pressed to believe you are new to pastels. This is wonderful and I shall have to seek you out and see what other things you have been up to. I don't agree with some of your assessment...I think you have been far to hard on yourself but its great to see that you are indeed evaluating your finished piece to see what might have resulted in an alternate outcome.

Life is getting in the way right now but I do hope to do another 101 class in the near future.

Thanks so much for taking the time to do this and for your gracious praise.

Cheers and keep dusty....Dianna :cat:

[Cazza50]

Thank you, Dianna.

You made me smile. Although I still think my first pink candy is sort of squashed and out of focus, sorry. :)

Oooh another 101 class. Cool. Count me in! I think I am addicted.

Regards,

Carol

[*Deirdre*]

I heard it too Dianna! Anytime...you just say when!:wave: :D :heart:

[ponting]

That just shows I'm thinking about you sunshine! LOL Hugs Dianna :heart:

[flyred77]

Hi everybody,

Is there a .pdf of this class somewhere? I am trying to get back on track with the classes and the .pdf files allow me to take it along on my tablet.

[ponting]

Sorry Marietta...no...not put together in any comprehensive form. I do hope however to do it in an Ebook one day before too long.

Thanks for asking and for stopping by. Cheers, Di :cat: