Naive elegance
 

Hello!

Well, this is my most recent pastel for fun (not for a client). My thinking was I would like to put a little color punch into the clothing of a pastel piece for a change and boy did I get more than I bargained for when I asked a new friend to pose in one of her saris. When she showed me the choices I was overwhelmed with the vivid colors and complicated designs. Good grief. In any case, this is what I ended up with. I'll wager this is the first time I have used vivid blue pastel in a decade.

I absolutely loved painting this. I think this woman is quite elegant and beautiful as is her kind, modest and gentle heart. In fact, I am working on an oil painting of her as well (in an even more intricate sari-oh my!)

20 X 24 on a home prepared surface using Golden's ground for pastels on hardboard. I did my best to get my photo to show proper color but I have lost some of the design on the sleeve somehow. In person it is a bit more visible.

Thank you for looking.

Note to Jimmie: I have about 30 minutes in this one.



Just kidding.

Lisa, this gorgeous!

Lisa,

I would like to sub-contract any pastel work I get out to you. This is beautifully lit with a simple elegant pose.

Hi Enzie! Thank you very much. I really enjoyed this one-probably more than any pastel I have ever done.

Dear, dear, Mike, what are you trying to do? Make me smile? Hey, thank you so much. I am smiling. I am so happy to hear you like the lighting. I have been reading your advice and trying to apply it a step at a time to improve my work. You have been so helpful. It's funny how when you get some good lighting (which rarely happens to me) it makes painting easier and much more fun. Again, thank you.

A magnificent work! Would love to do some pastels, but don't have a clue how to approach this type of work. My pastel work looks primitive next to this. Hopefully I will learn from this site.

This is stunning, Lisa. Wow, do I wish I had painted this!

We are in parallel universes of some kind. Last week I got my hands on an incredible red sari with gold stripes and gold motifs.It has found its way into a new painting as a background drape (I had no idea a sari was such a long piece of cloth).

This is another terrific pastel!

Wow!

This is just gorgeous. Stunning, Lisa!

Linda E. (so many Linda's), thank you for commenting so generously. I certainly wish I was a better oil painter. It seems to me with your talent that you can approach your pastels like you do oils and have great success. With pastel the differece is that your fingers become part of the brush. It's a real mess.

Linda B., I have no doubt you can do better than this but thank you very much. Aren't those sari's something? The oil I am painting has this girl in a red one as well! Too funny. It has gold threading throughout and leaves of deep teal and lavender. It looks like Fall and is so rich in color. It's quite a challenge to say the least. I wonder how you get these things on (not that I would try it). I think I would get stuck. They don't seem flattering for the larger figure type category I fit into anyway. Furthermore, do you know how heavy some of them are? I saw this woman's wedding sari and it was made of the heaviest fabric, almost like upholstery fabric. It's a wonder she didn't pass out wearing it. It had to have weighed 20 pounds at least and the wrap part (a technical term-lol) went on forever.

I look forward to seeing your background sari pattern. Thank you for a very thoughtful and encouraging response. I admire your work so much.

Lisa,
Every last detail of this is absolutely gorgeous! The bold blue, the simple gradient background, and the exquisite portrait all complement each other perfectly.

Lisa, what a great piece of work! Is not only about the sari, it's just the look in those eyes that make it so powerful, the colours and lighting only add to the presence of this woman in the painting.
Great !
Ilaria

Heidi, I'm happy you like it. Blue is not regularly on my palette. For that matter, neither is "bold" so your comments are most appreciated.:) Thanks for looking. By the way, I have really been enjoying your WIP and learning new things at your web site. Great stuff!

Ilaria, thank you. Yes I think the woman has some really fantastic eyes. She has an innocent nature and yet has a penetrating stare. I am happy you see her presence in this piece. You are so kind to respond. I was hoping the sari would not hide her expression so I am glad to hear you don't find it entirely distracting. Sometimes the balancing act works. Sometimes I fall flat on my face.

This painting is a brilliant and beautiful piece of work. You must be very happy with it. Your selection of colours you used for your pallete are great. Well done. Care to share what you used?

This is really a gorgeous piece. I would like to second everything that's already been said above.

Makes me want to dress my next client in a sari -- too bad he's a 17 year old white kid. He might not go for it.

Wow Lisa, I can't believe how much I don't like this.

Ha, ha, just kidding, but you had it coming.

I'm nervous asking how long it did take you. My last piece took sooooo long even tho the face came easier than usual. So, did you handle this one different than previous ones? I ask because you said you enjoyed this one most, was wondering if you did any experimenting along the way.

Well, fantastic job, as usual, but this does look like there was more enjoyment involved on your part. It's fresher than the last one (which was great also). Keep up the incredible work.

This is an amazing portrait.

Oh, wow, LIsa. Wow. Gorgeous.

Did I say wow?

I believe I said 'wow' first.

Lisa,

Once in a while you see a portrait that really stands out. This is one like that!

Alex

Dear Lisa,


WOW!!!!!!!


Once in a blue moon there is a fresh new work of art that universally knocks everybody's socks off. This portrait is the one! I am floored.

I will third all the compliments that have gone before, and like Mike, I will seek to subcontract all my pastel requests to you! Bravo!

Now my tongue has fallen out as well.

Garth

Definitely competition material.

Oh Lisa,

This is so beautiful! I could just go on and on gushing! I've looked at this several times now and keep finding new things to admire about this piece.

Her skin tones are lovely and I bet you had a lot of fun doing the pattern on this sari didn't you? It is obvious that you spent a lot of time planning and thinking about this piece even before you started.

I'm so happy for you!

Congratulations,
Julie
________
Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Goodness! Thank you all so much. I overslept this morning which usually puts me in a rotten mood because I have to rush around and often end up stubbing my toe, breaking a nail, or getting a splinter---some annoyance like that. But nooooo! I woke up to your nice responses and it made up for the oversleeping.

Ngaire, I used mostly Rembrandt and Nu Pastels along with my pastel pencils for eye and mouth details on this one. I have quite a lot of raw umber (Rembrandt) in the background which set the tone for the rest of it. I love that color. It's quite unlike its counterpart in paint as it is much lighter and slightly green.

Michele, thank you! Saris are so beautiful. I have to admit I had never really looked closely at them before but overall the patterns are lovely and flowing. I'm not sure they would compliment a 17 year old young man but these days anything goes so you might really make a statement with a piece like that if you can convince him to try one on! I'd like to see it.

Jimmie, you made me so upset that I burned the piece. No I didn't. Yes indeed, I approached this differently by thinking more about marrying the colors of the whole painting together. I also strategically (maybe not totally successfully) placed the pattern of the sari in the hopes that it would still look right but would help point to the face. I tried a few different colors in the background before settling on this. I don't know if it shows in the post, but I also tried to get the background to reflect the cool and warms of the portrait subject. The right side of the background is warmer than the left. I think that helped a bit. Finally, lighting was actually on my mind which I am just now realizing makes so much of a difference. You have mastered that but I am an infant on that subject. Don't you wish you hadn't asked?! Ask a simple question, get a long winded answer. Oopsy.

Cynthia, you are so sweet! I have never entered a competition in my life and know nothing about doing that. Maybe I will try. I sure appreciate the compliment that accompanies the suggestion. Thank you.

Chris, a "wow" from you reminds me of how I felt when I had that dream that Ed McMahon showed up at my house with a big fat check from the sweepstakes. Please don't wake me.

Kim, to be fair, the above applies to you as well. Girls, girls, don't fight. There is plenty of room in my ego compartment for two "wows". Let's keep it civil. :)

Alex, thank you. That is such a nice compliment.

Garth, bite that tongue! I feel that way about every painting I see of yours. In fact, I want to be just like you. I love your work and have begun cyber-stalking your posts. For you to pass any work my way would be like feeding my dog a fine steak. This is a compliment to you as my dog has never had anything better than ground beef.

Julie, thank you so much for noticing that I did actually think about this one. Yes, the sari was "fun" in that I enjoyed watching the pattern take shape and felt a sense of relief and accomplishment when it was finished. Thanks so much!


You all have been so thoughtful and kind. I really appreciate it.

Lisa,

I am so proud of you! This is simply stunning and I have to echo Cynthia's words.The blue is jewel like.

That acrylic pastel surface is so malleable, you can make it fit any style.

The color is sumptuous, as a matter of fact I recommend every portrait artist tries pastels, it really frees up your inhibitions about color. They give you the same feeling that playing with crayons did as a kid.

Lisa,

What a beautiful pastel. It

This is one of the most gorgeous works I have seen in a while - Absolutely beautiful!!!

Sharon, oh my, thanks! I do love that ground (thanks again) and am still experimenting with it. If I could plan my pieces better I could arrange the texture to vary in the right way but I am a way off from that still. I absolutely agree that everyone should try pastels. No drying time to wade through so whenever one is so inspired one can paint right away! Thank you so much.

Allan, well hello! Thank you for taking a peek. I really think my model has such a simple yet elegant look to her. I am glad you see it too.

Jane, what an absolutely flattering compliment. I appreciate your words so much.

Lisa,

Please forgive me for being so late, but I just came across this jaw-dropping portrait. At this point all I can do is echo everyone else's praise--so Wow, Wow, Wow! If you ever make prints please sign me up for one.

Jean

Congrats on another brilliant portrait, Lisa!
Wow this is very realistic, I can't believe my eyes... How did you do it?

Yes, she is very elegant and you have certainly captured that look! I esp. love her eyes, they're gorgeous and soulful! Darn, this is so inspiring....

How long did it take you?

Jean, encouraging comments are never late. I know you must be really busy with the move and all. Before I ever even think of sending you a print I need to send you that house warming pencil sharpener I owe you! Thanks tons for the triple wows. Though not totally deserving of them I am still grateful and smiling. Let me know when you are ready for the sharpener. A deal is a deal.

Isabel, you are so nice! You inspire me so we can just trade inspiration back and forth. I'm really flattered you like this. I do love her eyes. She is a lovely and soulful person in my opinion so I am glad that comes across. This one did take much longer thanks to the detail on the sari. I know I have at least ten hours in it which for me it darn near a world record. I think the time was equally balanced between the face and the clothing. If I had a brain I would make sure my next one includes a solid color for fabric but no. I am already starting another one of the same girl in another sari which is more detailed. Glutton for punishment am I. Again, thank you for your enthusiastic and generous comments.

Okay Lisa, check your PMs. :sunnysmil

Jean

Lisa,
I'm late to this thread, but am I glad I found it. I was blown away by your pastel. It is sensitive, refined and gorgeous. The face is wonderfully done and I love the sparkle in her eyes. The sari is great. Don't you just love to work in a really brilliant, saturated color? For me it is deliciously decadent and I try to do it every chance I can.

Richard,

I'm glad you found the thread because your comment was really sweet! Well, I must admit that saturated color is new to me in my painting. Heck, it barely exists in my life so I will have to do more of it and let you know if I like it or not. We have this joke in my family that everything ends up being "Ober Beige." LOL. No color gusto in our genes I guess. I am making small advances toward correcting that. This pastel was my first effort in that direction. Thanks so much for the compliments and the confidence to try more colorful things.

Lisa, I have been out of town on vacation for a while and opened this up and guess what I said....WOW! ;) Aren't you so impressed with yourself? Now that you are painting from good resource material you have simply turned into a pastel goddess! It is just BEAUTIFUL. I think I need to take a trip up to visit you and watch you do one of these.

Mary, I was wondering where you have been! Haven't seen you in a while. Hope you had a nice trip.

Thank you for the compliment! Impressed with myself? Nah, but I think I do see some improvement which is the great hope. You are so right about good source material. It makes a huge difference and I have really learned from Mike.

I know there is nothing I can teach you but any time you want to come visit would be great. Just warn me so I can clean the house. It seems I paint so much lately that the whole place is falling apart before my eyes.

Again, thanks, Mary. Glad you are back!

Beautiful work Lisa!

:) know the feeling!

Excellent! This is a beautiful breathing portrait that deserves to be in the seasoned professional area.

Renee Price

The pantheon is complete.
 

Hi Lisa,
I know I'm not qualified to give any sort of critique so I'll just bow down at your feet a little bit.
I had chosen my God of Pastels a while back and in fact, that is who got me inspired to try them myself.
Now I have found the Goddess of Pastels!
The detail is amazing and I have to ask...do you use pastel pencil for the fine detail or do you sharpen thicker pastels? You don't have to tell me if it's a trade secret and I don't know if this is the correct place to ask you this question, but this detail is so fantastic that I have to ask!
Thank you for inspiring me in pastels once again!
(Any time you are doing a workshop in the Louisville area, I hope I hear about it!)
--
Brenda Ellis

Pantheon Schmantheon
 

I apologize for not responding sooner. I have been on what most people call a vacation. It was indeed fun but I am exhausted and after riding the waver runners yesterday like a maniac I feel like I have been in a car wreck. LOL. I bet I look like that too!

Terri, thanks so much for you comment. You know I love your work.

Renee, I really appreciate the compliment! A "breathing" portrait? Now that ranks up there with one of the nicest things I have ever heard (read). I don't know where I belong. I think it's somewhere between knowing just enough to pass and not knowing enough to open my mouth except to say "thank you." Thanks!

Brenda, as I mentioned above my whole body hurst from hitting the waves on that "motorcycle for water" so when I read your comments (which made me laugh), everything hurt! You are so nice it's funny. Ouch. Please don't tell anyone you are my sister...or daughter. But seriously, thank you so much for that incredible title! Who is my husband, the God of Pastels? Is he cute?

I am thrilled you are inspired to do pastels and I can't wait to see you post some of your work. In the meantime, the answer to your questions:

For detail work, my favorite thing to use is my Nu-Pastels. I don't sharpen them. I break them and use the corners for the details. Granted, I have lots of broken pieces and my work area is a disaster but I love that they aren't so hard. They seem softer than my pastel pencils which I do use for eyelashes, lips and teeth when necessary. Everything else is done with broken Nu-Pastels. If you like to do detail work like I do, try them out. I must admit I lean heavily toward the much harder pastels. I mainly use Rembrandt and Nu-Pastel. All the other stuff seems greasy or flaky to me. I don't have a very light touch so other softer brands just crumble on me. That's just me. Play around with them and see what you like best. Just keep in mind that if you choose to do detail work (little tiny details) the pastel pencils are pretty hard which makes it difficult to use as a finish over very soft pastels. That's why I don't use the pencils for hair as an example. I'm sure you know that but I thought I would throw that in.

Again, thank you again for your undeserved compliments.

Wow!
 

Lisa, I don't know how I missed this one. That's Gorgeous!
Congrats...

Dear Claudemir,

I am happy to see you posting any time! Thank you for your enthusiasm. It is always so nice when one's work is appreciated. Thank you.