First, I decided to use a piece of paper that was new to me. I had heard that Fabriano Tiziano was a very good pastel paper and so bought several sheets to give a try. I chose one for this painting. That was my first mistake. I did NOT like the paper! It is too rough and extremely difficult to get a nice smooth look to a painting.
Second, I had always thought that pastels were an opaque medium - not so. I used a combination of my very nice Rembrandts, Nu-Pastels, and Richeson semi-hard pastels along with some Mungyos (a cheaper brand of pastels). None of them could cover up my graphite lines from where I had drawn my sketch for the painting. You could see my pencil lines right through the pastels!
Third, the first painting of this pic being thrown out, I begin again with UART 600 grit. I don't like UART with my colored pencils, but I have never tried pastels on it, so this was a good time to experiment. This time I used white transfer paper to transfer my sketch to the UART. Alas, it too had problems being covered up with the pastels. I'll have to come up with a new game plan for the next piece.
Fourth, UART worked beautifully with the pastels!!! I am very pleased with the results! I will definitely be using UART with future pastel paintings.
So, I have learned several things from this experiment. I need to come up with a better transfer method that I can cover up with the pastels, I will NOT use Fabriano Tiziano again (at least not with pastels), and I love UART paper for pastels. I enjoyed this pastel experiment, but chose not to complete it. Since this is not my ref pic I cannot exhibit it and I can not enter it in competitions, so I do not want to spend too much time on it. Therefore, I am going to move onto one of my own ref pics and continue the learning process.
The first pic is the first painting on Tiziano that is now in the trash. The second pic is the one done on UART. Big difference I think. What do you think?
The texture of the first is interesting in its own right, but I would agree that the second would definitely be my choice. You achieved such smooth transitions to your colors and shadows. The strength of the colors are wonderful. I look forward to seeing more of your pastel work. It is nice to have some info on a medium that I haven't played with hardly at all in my lifetime. So thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! I will be finishing up one more piece before I have to concentrate on my cp's and graphite again. Hopefully I can post it later this week.
ReplyDeleteFirts Nancy, I'd like to comment on both your pastel paintins...both of them look great, the first being a different paper having a different toothy texture to it, which is also nice, just a different look to it (but nothing wrong!). I know what you mean about getting it nice and smooth, you should really try pastel blenders as they work wonders on rough paper such as sandpaper.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, try transfering your drawing with an actual pastel pencil of the color you are using for each subject. Works perfect for me everytime! Best Wishes, Colette
The paper makes all the difference, but you found that out! UART or La Carte are much better choices when you want to achieve this level of detail and finish. Transfer as Collette said, or a white charcoal pencil will work as well. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kari and Colette!! I appreciate your comments and tips very much!
ReplyDeleteYes, you would think I would have figured it out by now to transfer with pastels not graphite. Sheesh!
Nancy