First Pastel

[Michele Rushworth]

...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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[Julie Deane]

Thanks, David and Sharon -

My ignorance of papers is such that I didn't even know that there WAS a rough/smooth side to Canson. I just grabbed a sheet and started drawing.

Next time, you bet it will be done on a different surface. Thanks for the feedback and paper suggestions.