wofcub - WIP - background issues

[AtelierAingeal]

Hi all,
I'm a newbie on pastel (bought my first Rembrands about a year ago).
I tried a wolfcub on velourspaper (mostly pastel-pencils, van Gogh and Bruynzeel). Not finished yet, have to work on the fur (any suggestions to make it deeper ? More browntones ?).
But the background is bothering me, I don't seem to get it right. Especialy the odd dark-green shape in the right upper-corner.
Is there a way to make it disapear ? Without destroing the velour paper ?
Any tips and suggetions ? Please ?

[Piper Ballou]

Hi, This is a cute pose of the wolf pup.
Here is a demo by Rose Baggs, I often refer to it, even though the dog is black and white it will give you some ideas.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=299122

and here is a WIP of a cat by Cravia she posted on her blog, you will have to stroll down to see the cat, but it will give you some ideas.
http://craviapastels.blogspot.com/
Check out the pastel library too, there are lots of demos there to look at.

I always go with my darkest darks first, and layer my lighter colors on top. You will find with velour that it is very hard to blend the pastels, you may want to find a different paper to start on, because it is very hard to make any corrections on velour.

As far as the background, I would paint colors to show hints of shapes but not actually trees, bushes, unless you want to go very detailed with the background.
hope this helped some.
piper

[AtelierAingeal]

Thanx Piper,
My ref. is in black and white (not very smart for a beginner, velour-paper isn't either).
I think I have to use more pastel in the background (i'm a bit anxious about using "thick layers", maybe I'm to carefull, afraid of "messing it up"), and on the fur too.
Back to my "working table" ......... with the good advice in mind.

[Piper Ballou]

Also, check out Holley's WIP on a cat, she just has it drawn out right now but it will give you some help too as she works on it.
piper

[*Marina*]

Welkom bij Wetcanvas Angela. Cannot really help you with velour paper. Just wanted to say hello.
If you are looking for a sanded paper (which I have struggled to find in Holland) Martin Brinkhuis is a good source. I think it is easier to work on sanded paper than on velour.
With your painting I would try to darken the background so that the wolve pops a bit more. With practice you will get there.

[AtelierAingeal]

Thanx Marina,
I'll surf to Martin Brinkhuis right now, can't wait to try sanded paper.
You are right about "the pop" by darken the background, I started to darken it a few hours ago. Already works better for me (and the wolfcub).