Old Lady close up in Pastels

Soft Pastel pencils on buff colored paper

16"x12"

Another one in the pastel series..While "Devotee'' was detailed and took 5-6 hours to complete, this one was softer, with less color applied and more paper showing.I wanted to experiment with only white and brown pastel with paper providing mid tones-but I guess I painted it too large.Had to add some mid tones,too.This one took one sitting of about two hours.

Young Monk

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?...

Twin Trees in Pastels

Pastels on paper

10"x14"

The struggle with pastels continues....I like the textures and bright colours, not to mention the freedom that comes with this medium.I know the results are not very dynamic as yet- but I like this medium enough to keep trying.I did this one on watercolor paper with  acrylic underpainting of dark blue.A few more trials and if I get some good results, I may be tempted to invest in expensive pastel paper and more shades.

Any tips and suggestions from those who work in pastels are welcome

Have a great Sunday and Happy Halloween...