"Lookin' Out the Window" 6" X 12" Pastel

This pastel was worked on Pastelbord, one of my favorite surfaces. It was basically worked in three stages as follows.

The pears were sketched onto the Pastelboard with pastel pencil then basic shapes were "filled in" with Nupastels, a harder type of pastel stick. I'm not fussy at this stage with detail - basically, I'm concerned with values, getting the light correct and the basic colors down.

Next, using a brush and alcohol I paint the pastel in place. I'm creating a base of pastel that won't smear and goes into the roughness of the surface. All sorts of fun things can be done at this stage. Sometimes, it's fun to

paint the complement of each color and let it show through the soft pastel on top. 

In the last stage I use those gorgeous soft, buttery soft pastel sticks (Unison, Sennelier, Terry Ludwig) to add color and make refinements, and the finished painting is shown at the top.                                                                              

                                                                                     

                                                                          

More Framing

Little by little I'm able to say "Finished!" to more of my work. (See previous post.) A very good feeling!

                                               

                                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                             

Some Framing Completed

It has been a while since I last posted, and I've been busy adding the final step to completing a painting - framing! Gosh, so many choices to make, and sometimes the choices might depend upon the disposable income that's available. I want something to look professional and enhance the painting, but I also know that MY taste in frames might not be that of the buyer. So sometimes I go with a mat(s) and thin metal or wood frame. It shows nicely, and if the client chooses to have it reframed, they haven't lost the cost of a terribly expensive frame. The painting above is a pastel and has glass, so my apologies for reflections and the distortion caused by turning to avoid the reflections.

This painting is an oil so there's no glass. I chose a slight one-inch wood frame with some slight detail. It's a smaller size art piece (6" X 6") so a small frame works, I think.

You can always second-guess yourself about choices. There are many frames that would work and look pro, so you make the best decision you can. But, I must say it's a good feeling to have that piece you've been working on for sometime decked out in it's final regalia. It hides all those messy edges and gives it the final punch.
                                                                                      

"FAVORI ITALIEN" 6" X 6" Oil on linen panel

My palette in doing this painting was a bit different for a change. I used Cadmium Yellow Medium, Ultramarine Blue, Cadmium Red Medium, Titanium White, and Burnt Umber. It's a challenge to have a limited palette like this, but a fun one and one with which I need to play. I've been told it's an excellent way to learn color theory.