Drizzly morning, clearing up, pastel
pastel on Pink Pink paper, approx 12 ins square, Vivien Blackburn
I need 3 pastels for a show next month and set out to do a large piece based on the pollarded willows. I got half way through one and it's at the ugly stage just now and needs thinking time, so I got side tracked into completing this one. The attention span of a gnat <> Never mind! this one can be one of my 3.
It's mostly Unison pastels as I love them - velvety soft and rich but they don't break up and flake away to expensive shards and powder like some. What I do want to get is some white Schminke pastels, as I'm told they are the richest, whitest white with brilliant covering power.
I often underpaint when I use pastels but this one is just pastel and no other medium.
I love pastels with the mix of drawing and painting they allow - my skin doesn't like them much though and dries out terribly. I've tried wearing those thin disposable gloves but I use my fingers too much to soften edges etc and I just don't get on with wearing the gloves to work. I'm just piling on the moisturising creams.
I'll get back to the willows done much larger in pastel and see if I can rescue them - or maybe it won't look so bad in the morning - she says hopefully. I just may end up putting 3 seascapes in!
Comments
I know your willows will turn out beautifully along with this piece. The water in this is lovely, very 'wet' looking - if that makes sense.
I need to get messy too Jeanette! it always surprises me how some students have an absolute horror of the messiness of pastels and charcoal - I love them!
I did my degree alongside someone who used to come in wearng pale chinos and a white shirt, put on his latex gloves and go home absolutely spotless :>0 - I on the other hand would have smudges of colour across my cheeks, and often my hair - colour all over whatever I was wearing ......
Beautiful seascape, Vivien and I love the square format. Also loving the beautiful paintings you are posting on Waterworks.
I do like what they do though - the lovely velvetiness of Unisons as a surface.
And then the nightmare of framing :>(
Auto parts store.
My goulash of colors made from tray tailings are irreplaceable - the grays have inclusions that really sing.
I'll have to see if I can track down this Mechanics glove over here Casey and Harry - I worry about anything greasy with using the soft pastels.
I have awful problems with dry skin in the winter and have to ladle on prescription creams and be careful what I use.
they do don't they - and thank you :>)