"ONE MAN SHOW" 6" X 8" Pastel

I experimented with a new surface for this onion painting. I think it's a fairly new product called Art Spectrum Suede. I ordered a sampler pack and it had eight sheets of different colors. The one I chose to use for this was the deep blue. I wanted the blue to show through here and there in the yellows and oranges of the onion. I used different shades of blue and turquoise to cover the background and foreground. The paper has a smooth, lush surface - just like suede! The pastel goes on smoothly and the paper holds a fair amount - not as much as a sanded surface like Wallis, of course, but certainly enough to put on multiple layers of pastel. I used Panpastel for the lay-in then soft pastels for filling and finishing.

The only thing I found I need to watch the next time I use this paper is to be careful of pressing too hard when sketching the design onto the surface. It's easy to add a bit more pressure with the pastel pencil or other pointed tool, and if you do you will have indentations that are very difficult to cover. But, knowing that, I'll just be more careful next time.