First Pastel

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.

Julie Deane · 02-14-2005, 09:13 PM

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.

Mary Sparrow · 02-15-2005, 07:41 AM

Julie, I have been meaning to comment and kept forgetting, this is BEAUTIFUL for a first try, and even MORE impressive to me that you achieved this on the backside of Canson. I personally don't like canson at all. When I first started using pastels, that was all I had like you didn't know any different, but the sanded papers make the biggest difference in my opinion. If you go to the fine art store's site, you can order a sampler pack of several different papers. It might be worth it to see what suits you the most.

I can't wait to see what you do next!

Here is where you can go to get that sampler pack.

Julie Deane · 02-15-2005, 02:49 PM

Thanks for your help, Mary -

I'm so ignorant of pastels. I am supplementing my meager supply - wish I could afford more - and I will check your link out.