This painting is basically a pastel painting worked in a method taught to me by
Jean Ranstrom, an amazing artist and instructor. It uses a method often employed by the early impressionists such as Degas. It involves steaming the various layers of pastel, letting each layer dry, then adding another layer. You start with the lighter colors (the opposite of traditional pastel layering). This was done using a Frederick's Watercolor Canvas Board- a sturdy surface and able to handle the steaming process. A primer with grit such as pumice or marble dust is applied in two layers so that the canvas will hold the pastel. Art Spectrum makes a fine tooth Colourfix Primer in a few colors as well as "Clear" which is what I used. For steam we used a clothes steamer in the workshop, but at home I've used a big pot of boiling water and "waved" the canvas art side down 2-3 times over the steam at a height of about 12 inches. You don't want it to get too wet. Be sure to let it dry thoroughly after each steaming. At the finish of the painting you can spray a light varnish on it and you're done. I put a frame around it, but there is no need for glass as with traditional pastel painting. The multiple steaming "treatments" adhere the pastel to the surface, and if done properly there's no pastel dust to fall off. I really enjoyed this process. The steam does darken the colors, but going slowly with color application and "feeling your way" with materials helps to control the results.
Carol--Looks like a standing ovation. Bravo. Seriously, I've never heard of steaming pastels. I have a thousand questions. This is opening up whole new vistas for me. Very cool process.
ReplyDeleteCactus Garden really is stunning, intriguing composition. Nice afterglows.
This sounds interesting. Do you use an iron to steam the paper? I have some clear Colorfix Primer I haven't used very much. I might give this a try. Nice cacti. I guess you have them in Arizona. I have to go to the Phipps Conservatory here to see them for real; they have a great cactus garden for us northerners to see.
ReplyDeleteThank you, William. I, too, had never heard of this process until my workshop with Jean. I don't think there's a lot of information out there on this process, but if I run across any articles, I'll forward them to you. I think, however, that just experimenting with the materials and process would show you a lot. For steam, we used a clothes steamer. For the others I did at home (having no clothes steamer)I boiled water in a large pot and held the painting over it briefly. Really high-tech but it worked!
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate you writing. It would be fun to try it. Be sure to use Frederick Watercolor Canvas Board for the surface as it holds up to the steam quite well. In the workshop we used a clothes steamer, but at home I have a big pot of boiling water and wave the painting art side down over the pot 2-3 times at a height of about 12 inches. You don't want it to get too wet. Good luck. Let me know how it worked.
I don't know anything about pastel painting, but this was an interesting discussion of your process.
ReplyDeleteI really like this painting. Great composition, and the sunlight on the cactus is gorgeous!
Thank you, Virginia. We never lack for cactus "models" here, although these taller ones are my favorites. Appreciate your comments very much.
ReplyDeleteThank you Carol for that explanation. I would imagine a steam iron held over a pastel piece would do the trick. Probably melts it a little, eh? I was afraid that this was going to go all complicated. What a relief.
ReplyDeleteI know you have to go slowly and lightly with the steaming until you get used to what it does. You're right, it DOES "liquify" it, and I imagine too much steam might make it drippy. I hope you try it and let me know your results.
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