Soft Pastels on Canson Paper
20"x14"
The long awaited pastel painting...I am not very happy with this,though.It will take a lot of time to be able to tame this medium.I think I used too much pigment...should have kept some background color showing through.May be..I am so new at it- I just don't know what should I do! Artists use this medium in lots of different ways and I will have to find out what appeals to me the most.The core problem,however, is,how to store these works.I don't want to spray them with fixative too much for the fear of spoiling the color.Will I need to frame each of them? Advise anyone? Hilda?...
Hi Arti, You have done a great job! From whatever I know of pastels, I think you are absolutely on the right track. It took me the longest to realize that I have to do what feels right. BTW, I pre-cut my pastel papers to standard frame sizes to make framing easy. But I hardly frame any, most are stacked inside acid free museum storage boxes covered by glassine paper. Sorry to barge in with my comments, I am sure Hilda has better advise that even I would love to learn from. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Urmi.I have heard about glassine paper, not tried it yet.Would a tracing paper do the same job? And, won't the pastels get smudged even when covered, if we stack them? I named Hilda because she is the pastelist I know, but any advise is welcome :)
DeleteTracing paper should be fine too. Pastels get smudged only if it gets rubbed along the surface. Stacking is perfectly fine. Just make sure the papers don't doesn't slide and make sure everything is acid-free. I use Senellier La Carte paper and absolutely love it. But I think it's just a personal preference. All surfaces are good and have their own properties, you will have to try them all to see what works for you.
DeleteArti, this pastel is outstanding...perfect skin tones..he glows...love the limited color palette and Urmi is absolutely correct! I use glassine which looks like waxed paper but doesn't pull the pastels away...I use paper clips for the top to make sure it doesn't move around and it protects it until you mat and frame it... You truly did an amazing job but your work is amazing no matter what medium you use!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a relief, coming from you!I know it is not a great work- and I don't expect it to be as it is my first portrait in pastels, and pastels work way different than watercolors.it may take a few more to get the hang of it.But thank you for encouraging me.I have covered it in cellophane and put it upright for now; will order some glassine paper if I go on with pastels.
DeleteHi Arti. This painting is beautiful. To store my pastel works I cover with tracing paper and attach with paper clips all around to prevent any movement. Others I simply mat with backing board, then cover with clear cellophane and store upright.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the advise, Anna.I did just that :)
DeleteI do like the drawing a lot. It is a great first... I agree they are harder to store. i don't spray mine. I'm just a little more careful with them. they still can be stacked together. i know some who place freezer paper or waxed paper between them.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tony. I have used a cellophane, lets see how it behaves...I am tempted to attempt some landscapes now because of pastels' capability to put light over darks.
DeleteI love the rich, deep color, Arti!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sherry, its always fun to try new things.
DeleteJust catching up with what you have been up to Arti and then up popped that unexpected lovely goose... lol Great rendition of the street scene too. Your portraits are fab as ever.
ReplyDeleteHello Arti:) A beautiful job! I love to see people experimenting with other mediums:)
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