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! 

Pastel Portrait of a Little girl in White Dress

Soft Pastels 12"x 16"

This is what I have been busy doing lately- a portrait of my lovely little niece.She is a hyper active three year old and you almost never catch her sitting still! Her mom clicked a picture of her in one such rare moment -and finally I got one to paint!Well she looks like a very quiet little girl here, but looks are deceptive :)

Lorrain -Pastel Portrait

"Lorrain"

Soft Pastels on Pastel mat

30x50 cm

Work in Progress; Try reading from bottom of the post!:)

Jumper completed, almost there, still needs finishing...

Worked more on her face; established the color of background and started on her jumper.I still don't have the 'right; green, I will make do with whatever I have.

Lightened one side of the face, now I feel better!

Added color to her face, establishing light and shadow areas.Realized that I did not have the green for her jumper, panicked, ordered some colors online...!

                                       Started with drawing and blocking in main shapes

'The chain of events' leading to the final product! I hope you enjoy watching the process.

It has taken me two days (about 10-12 hours) of work to complete this portrait.I have tried to keep my flesh tones true to life , it was a cool daylight setting when I took the picture.Thus, there are more greens and purple tones here; though I could not completely let go of my oranges!Green is the key color , which is unusual because I hardly use green in my paintings.I did not have the right color for her jumper, so I  overlayed two or three greens! I am still not sure irf its done- I may darken the background to her left...may be! Have a great weekend, friends and let me know what to do think of my efforts here...

White Cap_Pastel Portrait

Soft Pastel on toned paper

10"x 8"

It has been some time since I posted anything here.I hope to break the 'dry spell' with this painting in pastels.

For last few weeks, I have not been painting much.Mostly I have been reading ,studying other fine artists;trying to figure out my own art.The break seems to have done me good, I felt happy painting this piece, after a long time.I guess we all need a break to retrospect, at some point.

This is a man for northern part of India, picture taken by a friend.I made some changes, though!

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.

Devotee

Charcoal and pastel on toned paper

12"x16"

Glad to share another drawing with charcoal and pastel pencils.Intended to be monochromatic but I could not resist some color and ended up doing a colored drawing instead of a tonal sketch.I must say I am getting the hang of my pastel pencils after all.I am loving building up the color stroke by stroke..just like oil paints.One more thing I like about this medium- I can use white for highlights!So much fun after watercolors' worry about leaving the paper white for highlights.

Please do let me know what do you think of this effort.