Pastel portraits

Pastel , 20x16

One of the commissions that I have been working on.I have not been able to visit any of you lately as it was too hectic.I was racing against time as the client wanted 4 multiple portraits as Christmas gifts for his family members in one week!I am happy to say that the job was completed in time,and  I was so glad when he called this morning to say that he absolutely loved the portraits.
Now I am sitting here with my cup of tea and laptop, checking on what everyone has been up to! I hope everyone is now done with Christmas shopping and cakes are being baked in kitchens!Sending my good wishes to all my blogger friends....Merry Christmas! 

Devotee Revisited

                                                                 Pastels on Pastelmat
                                                                          16"x20"
This is hermit from India was my first subject in my pastel portrait journey.Though the first one was appreciated, but as it was on a lower quality paper I was not very happy with the outcome.I have tried to do it differently again,this time I used pastelmat to get as much detail as I want.
Perhaps I went too ambitious with the size -50x70 cm( what you see here is the cropped version) .. in the end it looked unnecessary- I cropped it to publish.
What I am trying to achieve with my pastel work is the happy combination of realism and impressionism.I want my portraits to look as real as possible but not like a photograph.They must have a character of their own.I would leave it to you to decide if I have succeeded...
Have a great weekend, all of you.

Portrait of a Teenager

Soft Pastels on pastel mat

35x50 cm

Some of you may recognize him- this is my son who agreed to let me take his picture after much cajoling ( I had to pay him ,actually, for the 'photo session'!) Well I thinks it was worth the effort, as this portrait has turned out nicely ( I will still wait for his verdict when he comes home from school!).

As he sat, the sunlight came through the full window and  fell on one side of his face.I wanted to capture not only that light, but the shadow area too, that somehow 'glows' when you are sitting in direct sunlight. I would love to hear what do you think of this effort.

Pastel mat is now my favorite support as it does not need blending.I did not blend at all.For smooth and fine details I used pastel pencils.They work beautifully on this surface.

My Group show opened last evening, with a nice little gathering.I seem to be one of the very few portrait artists here- mostly its landscape or animals painters in our Art Club.Here are a few pics:

Ladakh Woman

Pastel Pencils and soft Pastels

9"x12"

Back to pastels again...I used a mask this time, and it was great because it actually prevented me from blowing at the painting, even by accident!..The woman is from Ladakh region of India; reference picture from a friend. I like the slow build up of pastels.Definitely.

Have a great weekend, friends!

Mary Taking a Break

35 x50 cm

Soft pastels on Pastel Mat

As I said, I HAD to paint her in color! Worked on it for about 4-5 hours in two sittings.

I have painted it differently this time, adding the background too.I think that completes the story...

I have entered this and the 'Man from Ladakh' to the Pastel Society 2013 Competiton's  pre-selection round; keeping my fingers crossed.

As I Pray...

Pastels on toned paper

20"x14"

I love this old man's face and would paint him again and again.I have already drawn him in pencil in the past, now its the turn of pastels.In fact I wanted to experiment with some background color.Frankly, I am not too thrilled with the results-it looks rather painterly..is it a good thing ? I don't know.

I ran out of my white pencil towards the end- just a stub left; so it was not much fun finishing his hands.Next time I am sticking with my 'drawing' mode.Not too impressed with the saturated background color.

Enjoy it while the next one is in progress.

My group show opens Friday, 8th March at Fairfields Art Center.Will update the pictures on the day!