Sunday, May 31, 2015

They Hang Out at the Local Branch 8" X 8" Pastel SOLD

                                                                                
I have to smile at the path this painting took to completion. I started with an Aquabord made for watermedia. I had just purchased a couple of new tubes of w/c and thought this would be a good time to use them. I liked the transparent colors, but decided to paint pastel over the watercolor to bring out some of the textural qualities in the photo.

Pastel needs to be worked on a surface that has grit on it in order for the pastel to stick to the surface. I put two coats of clear gesso over the watercolor which created a sanded-like coating for the pastel. I didn't lose the watercolor, but was able to create some interesting textures with the pastels particularly in the leaves. Who says a girl can't change her mind?!

Available HERE.

29 comments:

  1. JaneJune 1, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    This is beautiful Carol, there's a wonderful shine on both fruits and leaves, the fruits almost jump out from my screen , they look so real ! Have a great week.

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    1. Carol FlattJune 1, 2015 at 1:32 PM


      Thank you, Jane. Wish I could tell you the name of the berries, but I can't. We had a similar berry where I was raised called a Salmon Berry, but I don't know if that is the name for these. I appreciate you writing!

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  2. Libby FifeJune 1, 2015 at 3:42 AM

    That is an interesting combinationo f materials-clever. I have clear gesso and using it over watercolor to prevent lifting is smart. I am going to give that a try I think.

    Lovely results too with the berries and a good composition!

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    1. Carol FlattJune 1, 2015 at 1:38 PM

      Thank you so much! The main reason for me applying gesso was so I could apply pastel on top of everything and it would stay because of the gritty surface the clear gesso gave it. It worked well, Libby. The pastel covered easily and stayed locked on the painting.

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  3. M. D. CooperJune 1, 2015 at 8:18 AM

    The colors on this are just gorgeous, Carol. Great idea on the clear gesso. I have some clear Colorfix that would probably work. You have just given me an idea to try on watercolor canvas board. Don't you just love all the "stuff" artists can play with these days?

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    1. Carol FlattJune 1, 2015 at 1:41 PM

      Such a nice comment, Melanie. Always a joyous thing to hear from you. Yes, clear Colorfix should work just the same. I hope you do try it and let me know what you thought.!

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  4. Debbie NolanJune 1, 2015 at 11:03 AM

    Dear Carol- such a gorgeous pastel. Looks to me like changing your mind worked wonderfully. I have done pastels over watercolors before but never on aqua board. Sounds like something I should try.
    You certainly got gorgeous results. Have a super day.

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    1. Carol FlattJune 1, 2015 at 1:46 PM

      I hadn't used Aquabord before this painting, Debbie. I really liked it. I really enjoy working on a hard surface when I get a chance. Without the gesso, though, the pastel would not have stuck. I surely appreciate your supportive words.

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  5. hmuxoJune 1, 2015 at 1:05 PM

    I love this...I would never have thought you can use pastels over watercolor...I love the texture in the leaves....excellent work!

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    1. Carol FlattJune 1, 2015 at 1:50 PM

      It's fun, Hilda because you can leave some areas without pastel if you wish. You have the watercolor underpainting, and sometimes it's fun to leave the different watermarks or other patterns in the w/c for the viewer to see.

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  6. Autumn LeavesJune 2, 2015 at 2:47 AM

    Technical process of getting there is interesting but the end result? Ooh la la! Beautiful work, Carol!

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    1. Carol FlattJune 2, 2015 at 3:47 PM

      Thanks, Sherry! :) You make me smile. I appreciate your comment. I look forward to seeing YOUR watercolor painting you were working on in your recent post.

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  7. UnknownJune 2, 2015 at 9:27 AM

    Carol, what lovely texture. And what a great idea.You should be proud. The interesting composition is the icing on the cake!

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    1. Carol FlattJune 2, 2015 at 10:26 AM

      Thank you so much, Helen. This is a crop from a larger photo. There was a small section of the original photo I thought had an interesting composition. Thank goodness for that cropping tool!

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  8. mary maxamJune 4, 2015 at 8:15 PM

    What an interesting process and lovely result! This is charming

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    1. Carol FlattJune 5, 2015 at 1:27 PM

      I appreciate your comment, Mary. It was fun to do, and I learned from the process. Can't beat that! Hope you're doing well on your break from blogging. I look forward to your return!

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  9. Jean RanstromJune 10, 2015 at 5:47 AM

    This could be called Berry Dance, it is so fresh in color and clean in design. The berries look so juicy, makes me almost drool.

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  10. Carol FlattJune 10, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Now, that's a great title!! I appreciate your comment, Jean. You know me and how I love red and green together. Every chance I get!!

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  11. Lorraine ShirkusJune 10, 2015 at 12:17 PM

    Love the title! Beautiful and sensitive as always . . . your new technique really gives it
    so much luminosity! Sometimes not knowing what or how to do something opens up a
    whole new world. A good reminder that struggle is good!

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    1. Carol FlattJune 10, 2015 at 3:14 PM

      I'm glad you commented on the title, Lorraine. I was a little hesitant to put it out there as it is a little "far out" for me. You are exactly right about often learning from things we have to muddle through. It's a satisfying way to learn especially if it turns out satisfactorily. I miss you, but I know you're working very hard. Hopefully, you weren't in the area that was flooded recently. Such devastation.

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  12. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJune 10, 2015 at 9:43 PM

    Hi Carol. I am happy to see the results of your experimenting. This is gorgeous - good for you! I enlarged it and really enjoyed seeing the wonderful reflections on the berries. I hope you do more of this technique.

    The reason I like aquabord is so I do not have to use glass. Can you fix this enough to keep the pastel secure?

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    1. Carol FlattJune 11, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      I appreciate your kind comment, Julie. I don't know about fixing pastel to frame without glass. It certainly would be wonderful to be able to do that. I read a comment by a woman who sprayed the pastel with a varnish, and she felt she would be able to go "glass-less." I don't know if it changes the color of pastel (hue and intensity) like fixative does. I do use fixative during the process of applying pastels as it helps build up layers. I never use it at the end of a painting because of the changes it makes to color. I may try the varnish and see what happens. Will let you know.

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  13. Diana MarshallJune 15, 2015 at 3:09 PM

    Great idea to mix medias, I did this recently with an acrylic painting on board and thought it needed another dimension so I got out my ancient box of soft pastels and scumbled it over the surface I then fixed it with a spray varnish from Sennelier, it did darken it a bit but on that painting it didn't matter.

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    1. Carol FlattJune 16, 2015 at 7:16 AM

      It's always fun to try something different isn't it, Diana? I bet your painting was a gem, and I would have liked to have seen it. Am anxious to try the varnish and see how it works. It would be a real treat to be able to hang a pastel without glass.

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  14. MYSTELIOS August 2, 2015 at 11:13 PM

    Very beautiful painting and very interesting art blog !!!
    Have a nice and creative week !!!

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    1. Carol FlattAugust 3, 2015 at 10:36 AM

      You have the same. Thank you for your kind comment. I enjoyed looking at your paintings. What beautiful places you have visited! You have a very refreshing painting style with such lovely colors..

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  15. JaneAugust 29, 2015 at 12:40 AM

    Interesting procedure with a great result, such beautiful warm colors and great light.

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  16. Carol FlattAugust 29, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Many thanks, Jane. So good to see you back blogging. I have missed you. Your new painting really sets a mood...quiet, peaceful, solitude. Lovely, cool colors! Very poignant.

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  17. HaddockSeptember 16, 2015 at 9:37 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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