Monday, August 1, 2011

"SIDEKICKS" 7" X 7" Pastel on Wallis paper

I'm experimenting with a surface I haven't used very much to date called Pastelmat. It takes lots of pastel and has a softer surface than the Wallis paper. It allows blending, but also, if you prefer, it shows individual strokes. The only negative for me was one has to be very careful when handling (storing, carrying, preparing) the paper or when roughing in the sketch NOT to press too deeply. If you do it leaves indentations in the surface that are difficult to cover over with the pastel. This may be just me, but I've tried two projects on the paper, and it has done the same thing each time. I will try it again and work very carefully because other than this problem, it's a great surface.                                                                                 

14 comments:

  1. beautiful softness to this piece....not just the paper I am sure but you have a nice touch with it.

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  2. Thank you, Carol. There are so many good and exciting materials out there for pastels and oils. It's always fun to try them out.

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  3. Thanks so much, Cindy. I see from your blog that you, too, love pears! You're a woman after my own heart!!!

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  4. Carol what a lovely piece.I always love your pastel work.They have so much vibrancy.

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  5. Great form, Carol...and I LOVE the color harmony. Pears are my favorite subject to paint!
    Brenda

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  6. Well, no matter the paper, those are great looking pears! The paper must be a soft, pulpy type of surface to leave indentations. Is it rough to the touch?

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  7. Hi Libby! The paper IS rather soft - similar to suede mat but with a shorter pile. It amazes me with how much pastel it can hold!

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  8. Thank you, Brenda! I can't resist doing pears every so often. I love the colors and original compositions YOU use on yours!

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  9. Hello, Yasha! Thank you so much. The colors are part of the appeal of pastels for me. I think the color possibilities are never-ending. Take care!

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  10. The colors and technique are outstanding. This one should be on the cover of Pastel Journal as well. I love this...composition, colors, shadow, technique...Keep painting.

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  11. My goodness, Ellie. Thanks so much!

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  12. Carol, these pears are gorgeous. The front pear seems to glow! I love how you used colors in blocks to make the different values. Really nice!

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  13. Thank you, Virginia. When I paint pears it's like anything goes! They just lend themselves to experimentation in any way, and you can be as bold or timid as you want. You can just make your own rules. I LOVE them!!

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