First Pastel

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 08:41 PM

Hi -

This is my first pastel, other than unsuccessful attempts years ago.
Any comments/critiques welcome.

I wasn't originally planning to tackle pastel for a few years, but had a customer who wants it due to a lower cost, and so this is a practice piece.

Allan Rahbek · 02-12-2005, 09:18 PM

Very nice portrait. The hair is especially well drawn, good values.

I would look at the highlight on the bridge of the nose. On your drawing it is placed about halfway between the two eye corners. It should be about 1/3 from the left and 2/3 to the right eye.
And I also think that a darker shadow on the back of the T-shirt would balance the fine contrast of the hair and background.

Allan

Garth Herrick · 02-12-2005, 09:46 PM

Julie,

I'm impressed! You're pastel is far nicer than the photo; but isn't that the point! To me this is entirely successful as a first pastel. Her sparkling hair in particular is just perfect, in the way you have managed primary and secondary highlights. I think Allan's points are good ones.

I'm quite rusty with my ancient pastels. With your success, you make me want to try this!

Garth

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 10:16 PM

Thanks, Alan and Garth -

I had to rush to have something for an example to send to a charity auction. I knew this portrait was far from perfect, but went ahead and sent it in. When I get it back, I will make corrections. Isn't it funny how we can miss something that becomes obvious when someone else points it out?

I was really dubious about trying pastels due to my past inability with the medium. I borrowed a video demonstration from the Portrait Society of Atlanta's collection, and all of a sudden it clicked. It was an "aha" moment - it's the same progression from dark to light as there is in oils - I guess I am treating it somewhat like an oil.

But - with oils you don't get dust all over the computer keyboard!

Michele Rushworth · 02-12-2005, 10:21 PM

Quote:

...a customer who wants it due to a lower cost.

One of the reasons I don't offer pastel portraits is that people usually expect them to cost a lot less than oil portraits, yet they take the same amount of work. Chris Saper offers pastel portraits but charges the same amount as she does for her oils. (Chris, please correct me if this is no longer the case.)

Julie Deane · 02-12-2005, 10:28 PM

Hi Michelle -

I understand your point, but I figure a sale is better than no sale. Being a beginning portraitist, I need to generate sales and samples, and with pastels as part of my repertoire, I can offer a wider range of prices, with a better chance of finding one that fits a client.

This sample took less time for me than an oil would have. I'll have to keep tabs on future ones to see if that stays the case.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-13-2005, 03:35 PM

Wow, that's great handling for a first timer. Did you feel like it came naturally?

Also, if you don't mind, sharing the pastel brands and surface used? It looks like Canson Mi Tientes, rough side. Congrats on a good lookin' first.

Julie Deane · 02-13-2005, 08:48 PM

Hi Jimmie -

Thanks! I felt pretty sheepish putting this up after seeing your beautiful first.

Yes, it's Canson. I didn't have trouble with tearing up the paper, but found it had way too much texture for a smooth little girl's cheek. Really had to work on filling up the "pores". I think I'll try another paper next time.

No, it felt pretty natural - a pleasant surprise.

I don't have a full range of colors, so was at a loss for what to do for some shadow areas. My pastels are mainly Rembrandt soft pastels and I don't know what the hard ones are. I have an old old mix from student days plus I inherited some pastels indirectly from a woman who is now incapable of drawing due to Alzheimer's. (Actually, her daughter bequeathed me her old handmade easel, and lo and behold, there was a bunch of pastels at the bottom of the cabinet!).

David Draime · 02-14-2005, 02:05 PM

Julie,

This is outstanding! And it's your first attempt! Bravo. I especially love how you've handled the edges - the hard crisp, edges that lead the eye through and around the various softer edges - just where they ought to be. Amazing. I can't wait to see many more of these from you. I'll be posting my first pastel soon, and I only wish mine were as fresh and honest a rendering. Congratulations!

David

Sharon Knettell · 02-14-2005, 06:51 PM

Julie,

Great first effort, fresh and colorful and especially not muddy. A trifecta!

I do agree with Allan about the nose, the area right next to the eye is a tad sharp. Squint and you will see how the nose shadow is actually more or less one shape going a little darker at the upper bridge near the eye.

If you continue to use the Canson ( I would not) use the other side.

The reason for NOT using Canson is that the color of the papers are fugitive, ie. they will fade and discolor with time. Use a high quality pigmented rag paper or tint rag or Wallis with a quality watercolor.