"The Center of Attention" 5" X 7" Pastel

                                                           
I often do an underpainting by massing in the basic shapes (no details), then using either alcohol or water and a brush to wash the different areas. It creates a good roadmap to values and colors for when I lay in the pastel.

This time, after I sketched in my subject I broke out my box of Caran d'Ache Neocolour II water soluble crayons and colored in the basic shapes - just like we used to color as kids. Then, using water I "painted" each shape and the crayon turns to an opaque watercolor.  It does the same thing as the first method, but the colors are a bit brighter.  Sometimes, I'll use a very wet brush and let the colors run a bit just because I like that effect. You might see this above at the very top where the green from the leaf ran into the background color.  It's all just personal preference, but it's so enjoyable to experiment!

This painting is listed on Daily Paintworks at http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Artists/carol-flatt-1045          

"Shadow Patterns" 6" X 8" Pastel SOLD

I just love, love, love Wallis paper. It is a hardy, resilient, forgiving and creative surface for pastel. The characteristic with which I have the most fun is the texture. It's fairly rough and accepts a great amount of pastel which means you can have just about as many layers as you want to try. But, because of the gritty surface you can create many different "looks" or textures. Rubbing in the pastel can give things a smooth look. Scumbling the pastel over the top (my personal favorite) gives a mottled look which I think makes things look like they have more form. It also gives you a chance to drag over the top of a beautiful color ANOTHER beautiful color giving it a rich look. In the painting above I did a lot of scumbling. You can see the deep green/blue underpainting showing through the pastel as well as the textured, multi-colored apple skin. If you like a loose, impressionistic look in your work I think you'd like working with Wallis.

                                                                                 

"Communal Living" 6" X 8" Pastel

                                                                         
This is an example of Squatter's Rights.  Our many Mourning Doves in the area generally throw a few twigs together on a ledge or in a bush and hope for the best. Even the slightest breeze often carries away the materials. The dove couple that laid these eggs must have seen an opportunity to move into a Thrasher nest and immediately took advantage of the moment. Thrashers build fairly substantial and sturdy nests within the branches of the Cholla cactus for protection.  These doves can taste an upscale life for awhile.

"Snack du Jour" 6" X 8" Pastel

                                                                           
I wanted to add a knife as an element in a still life of Granny Smith apples. I enjoyed doing the two little bits of apple reflections on the blade. The little things that give us pleasure, right?