First Pastel

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-13-2005, 03:35 PM

Wow, that's great handling for a first timer. Did you feel like it came naturally?

Also, if you don't mind, sharing the pastel brands and surface used? It looks like Canson Mi Tientes, rough side. Congrats on a good lookin' first.

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.