Friday, May 27, 2011

8"x10" Browsing Pastel

I have always enjoyed painting our furred and feathered friends...so, when I spotted this little group browsing in a sheltered courtyard I just had to take photos and rush back to my little studio area and begin painting some of the many scenes these lovely ladies had shared with me.  Once again, I chose mat suede board for a surface for my pastels...the color of this particular piece was a deep golden ocher which served as a wonderful underpainting for this particular scene...I often choose very deep wild colors of suede board just to see the effects it will have on the paintings.   It usually works out very well for me.  Often, I use hard pastels with layer upon layer and apply them lightly...Later in the painting I begin turning to the softer pastels to brighten certain areas and, at times, to soften edges.                                                                                                                                  

Sunset Reflections 12"x16" Pastel


Sunlight on the water drew me to create this painting with it's strong contrasts versus vivid colors...For this painting I chose Kitty Wallis sanded grey paper and Terry Ludwig Southwest Sunset Colors for the vivid oranges, reds and yellows...I greatly enjoyed interspersing the vivid colors in with the beautiful greys of the water and it's horizon... I painted this because it is a subject I enjoy.