Pastels for Life

resada · #1 07-28-2006, 09:07 AM

I really enjoyed this article. I have never worked with pastels[Im a beginer], but I would like to some day. It was fun watching the work evolve, and seeing some of the tricks you used to get the tones you achieved. Im looking forward to more of your articles!

Adair_P · #2 07-28-2006, 07:27 PM

Hi resada...
And welcome to the Figure Forum. Glad you enjoyed the article Pastels for Life. Pastels (or as some artists call them those 'dusty sticks') are such a lovely medium to work with and especially good for the ultra busy person who can only paint in short bursts of time..... there is so little setting up/cleaning up time involved. They have become a very popular medium in these hectic times we live in.

We hope you will post some of your work here... you will find our members so helpful if you need some guidance.

Hope to see you back soon....

FriendCarol · #3 07-29-2006, 04:16 PM

Lovely WIP in this article (lovely model, too).

I do hope you use an air filter (and/or a real mask) when you use the dusty sticks. The dust is quite dangerous, I've been told -- and know of artists who had to stop using them.

The painting (always seems funny to call work in pastel painting instead of drawing, but everyone does it) is really lovely. It was great to see how you approach it -- overall sketch, setting the shadows, looking for the lights, continually making small adjustments (except when making big leaps!).

starfighter · #4 09-02-2006, 08:32 AM

Hi Adair

This is very interesting, thanks, you are very skild, such light, respect!
I´m breaking my neck on skintones, havent had a change to lear here in Denmark. I saw this site just this week, and its really really nice with so much talent, i am amazed.

very kindly
Starfighter

Kristrotter · #5 09-02-2006, 11:12 AM

I, too checked this out a few weeks ago. Pauline, you are definitely one of the greats and thank you for showing us how you do it!!

BizzyLizzie · #6 09-27-2006, 12:48 PM

Hi there,

Just looked at your demo......beautiful and very well explained.
I have not used Pastels .....YET, but want to try.
I have bought some materials to give it a go.
Are you using Chalk Pastels ( not oil?) I gather from the ' Dusty' comments and warnings that it probably is Chalk.
I was advised to get Fine Tooth Pastel paper. I just bought a little box of 23 pastels to give it a whirl. I saw a live demo last weekend. The woman did not show much on blending. I just saw a lot of little lines/short strokes, building up the work.
She said she did not put her fingers on the paper ever. I know this will just be her method. She said she mainly blended with other colours. I did buy some of those little paper blending sticks. I'm trying to get a good instruction book. Any suggestions?
Thank you so much
EM

kimbrulee · #7 10-05-2006, 06:34 PM

Absolutely beautiful! and thank you for the step by step instructions. When you say "paint" and are working with pastels, that just gave me a revelation about myself! I've had trouble with painting with paint, because I tend to "draw" with my paintbrushes. Even my professors in college would say that. When you talked about how you work with the pastel, that just described how I am sooo comfortable with pastels as well, but somehow I kept trying to push myself to work with a brush and paint. So now I'm thinking that maybe I should "paint" with pastels now and put aside my brushes for awhile. Do you think some artists are drawn to certain medium by the way they work? I'm a huge fan of Degas and Cassatt and that's why I really enjoyed looking at your work!

I like to get my hands dirty when I work with pastels.

Deborah Secor · #8 10-08-2006, 10:27 PM

I'm a pastelist by trade and recently decided to start learning how to paint the figure, after 20+ years of landscapes, putzing around with dogs, hummingbirds, a few other subjects, and taking a few chances with hands but not really making the break to the person until now.

Pastels are called painting, IMHO, because all the consideration of color is there even though the technical approach may be that of drawing.

Thanks for walking me through this demo. If I can overcome this skin tone thing and just think light, shape, color, value, line, edge, shadow, I may do alright.

There is a bit of knowledge needed, however, regarding the mechanics of the body, which is at least part of why I'm perusing this forum. May I ask, Pauline, do you routinely paint from photographs? I'm searching for someone who's willing to give me permission to learn to paint people using photos. I've already found they do some odd distorting... and despite plenty of studio time in life classes <mumble>ty years ago, I'm challenged to paint correct anatomy.

Thanks--this is a truly beautiful painting.

Deborah

Adair_P · #9 10-09-2006, 12:33 AM

Nearly missed all these questions.... sorry, it's been a while. But now that it has popped back up to the top.....

Hi Carol, and thanks for the comments and concern over the pastel dust. Yes.... althought I'm probably not as careful as I should be, I make a point never to blow the dust away, just to tap it onto a drop sheet and I can dispose of it all later. I do sometimes wear a face mask if I'm getting carried away and in a pastel painting frenzy..

Thank you starfighter and Kris..... it was my pleasure..

I'm in heaven when I'm painting.

EM.... glad to hear that.... sounds like a great start to me. The paper sounds good.... I always prefer to use the smoother side... the rough side is too mechanical looking for my liking. Yes.... I think it is much better to blend with another pastel rather than with your finger...... much, much preferable. Fingers seem to take too much off when you've gone to the trouble of putting it all on so carefully!
I don't know of any instruction books.... but just look around in good bookshops.... you're sure to find some..... and study as many pastel paintings as you can.... you can do this on line or go to your local library. I learned such a lot from art books in book stores and libraries .... and bought very few! But I was often found sitting on the floor surrounded by wonderful art books.... both 'reference' and 'how to's'...

I practically devoured them.

needgrace.... yes, you are definitely painting when using pastels.... the only difference is you can't mix your colours beforehand! Sounds like you are well suited to them, if they suit your working process, go for it. I like to draw with paint too, as a matter of fact...... I also like to paint with charcoal and apply it with a brush, or at least in a painterly fashion.

I see you like to get your hands dirty..... I'm at my happiest when I have paint on my feet!!!

Deborah....Yes, I regularly paint from photos..... because I never finish a painting like this in one sitting. And you don't need permission to practice from photos at home! The more practice the better.
I also recommend taking just a few well-chosen pastels and some colour pastel paper to life drawing.... again, that is wonderful practice. You are thinking from all the correct angles by the sound of it...

Glad you are taking up the figure challenge.... when I found I enjoyed working with figures more than any other subject that is when I became truly passionate and obsessed with my art.

Thanks everyone....

csa-studio · #10 11-05-2006, 01:37 PM

Your painting is beautiful and it is so great to see it evolve. Thank you for this.

LisaJean · #11 12-13-2006, 04:34 PM

I thought your article was wonderful. I love the fabric folds in your painting - superb! Drapery is something I am working really hard at improving and and yours is fantastic. Congratulations on your award as well.

Adair_P · #12 12-13-2006, 05:24 PM

Carol & LisaJean.... thank you for your comments on the
Pastels for Life article. I like to keep the fabric folds fairly simple......I squint at the reference so the main folds only are what I see, then I usually rearrange them a little to suit the composition of the main subject. You can direct and lead the viewers eye into the figure by the way you arrange the folds of the drapery. This keeps the main focus on the figure, and right where you want it. Also, try not to have detail of drapery right near the edges of the painting. Hope this helps....

Thanks again!

JJ Goodell · #13 12-30-2006, 01:59 PM

Just popped up to Wet Canvas and read Pastels for Life article. It's great. Thank you for the photos and narrative. Learned a lot. Appreciate your time and effort.

david684 · #14 12-30-2006, 10:14 PM

Hi Pauline & Everyone,

As far as a "how-to" book, Santa dropped a good book,
"painting beautiful skin tones with color and light" by
Chris Saper. It's mostly about color sticks.
But demo's cover oil, watercolor, and of course, sticks.

It's very good from what i've read.
A dearth of information in it as well.
She's a very good portraiture artist, and teacher as well.

Do a search!
take care, time to try some chalks myself !!

silverflagon · #15 12-31-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adair_P

Nearly missed all these questions.... sorry, it's been a while. But now that it has popped back up to the top.....

Hi Carol, and thanks for the comments and concern over the pastel dust. Yes.... althought I'm probably not as careful as I should be, I make a point never to blow the dust away, just to tap it onto a drop sheet and I can dispose of it all later. I do sometimes wear a face mask if I'm getting carried away and in a pastel painting frenzy..

Thank you starfighter and Kris..... it was my pleasure..

I'm in heaven when I'm painting.

EM.... glad to hear that.... sounds like a great start to me. The paper sounds good.... I always prefer to use the smoother side... the rough side is too mechanical looking for my liking. Yes.... I think it is much better to blend with another pastel rather than with your finger...... much, much preferable. Fingers seem to take too much off when you've gone to the trouble of putting it all on so carefully!
I don't know of any instruction books.... but just look around in good bookshops.... you're sure to find some..... and study as many pastel paintings as you can.... you can do this on line or go to your local library. I learned such a lot from art books in book stores and libraries .... and bought very few! But I was often found sitting on the floor surrounded by wonderful art books.... both 'reference' and 'how to's'...

I practically devoured them.

needgrace.... yes, you are definitely painting when using pastels.... the only difference is you can't mix your colours beforehand! Sounds like you are well suited to them, if they suit your working process, go for it. I like to draw with paint too, as a matter of fact...... I also like to paint with charcoal and apply it with a brush, or at least in a painterly fashion.

I see you like to get your hands dirty..... I'm at my happiest when I have paint on my feet!!!

Deborah....Yes, I regularly paint from photos..... because I never finish a painting like this in one sitting. And you don't need permission to practice from photos at home! The more practice the better.
I also recommend taking just a few well-chosen pastels and some colour pastel paper to life drawing.... again, that is wonderful practice. You are thinking from all the correct angles by the sound of it...

Glad you are taking up the figure challenge.... when I found I enjoyed working with figures more than any other subject that is when I became truly passionate and obsessed with my art.

Thanks everyone....

It's good to hear someone else call working with pastels painting, it really makes me cross when folks say it isn't. If it isn't then what the heck is it, it certainly is not colouring like a child does with chalks, because then you could also call watercolour painting, colouring also. I am very proud of what I do with pastels charcoal and chalk, and saying that it isn't painting is almost like an insult to me.

Sorry if I sound intense, I am not like that really, it's just that this gets my goat!

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