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Friday, December 4, 2009

Pastel painting in progress - snow scene

Today I worked on a pastel of the same subject as the last painting. It is not done, but I stopped before I overworked some areas. Sometimes it helps me to see it on the computer in the black background of my blog, so I can see what I need to leave alone, and what I need to do more of.

I actually started with watercolor on a white "PastelBord" by Ampersand. It doesn't behave like paper at all! So it was quite challenging. I did get some interesting "blossoms". So, I thought I would show a photo of it in stages. Below is the watercolor. And below that is beginning layer of pastel.






6 comments:

ti-igra said...

Carolyn, interesting technique!
Can I ask you, What paper do you use for this drawing techniques? :)
With a thin layer of watercolor occurs feeling snow with transparent light.
It's so beautiful!
Feeling arises want to go on this path to the evergreen and fresh forests!

Carolyn Jean Thompson said...

Hi Ti-igra, in answer to your question: when I do watercolor on watercolor paper, I use Arches 140 lb. cold press. In this pastel painting, I am not using a paper. I am using a product called PastelBord. It is made by Ampersand. It is a masonite (wood product) board with a clay/gesso/grit surface that they spray on for a uniform surface. This product comes in a few colors and sizes. It is easy to frame your finished artwork. It does not need a mat or to be mounted on a board. You just need a frame, spacers and glass.

I used white here. The watercolor does not sink into the surface like a paper. It sinks into the clay and then continues to spread out and blend. I used a hairdryer to stop it from spreading too far. When it was completely dry, I could apply pastel. The surface is still gritty and holds pastel nicely, because the watercolor underpainting does not fill in the grit.

Thank you for your compliments. You are very kind and thoughtful. I'm very happy you enjoy my work!

ti-igra said...

Wow! Wow!
Interesting. I do not even know about the existence of such material. Maybe somewhere I will find in a store.
Thank you!
So much news. I always draw on paper for pastels Canson. Once I was draw with watercolor and wanted to add some details with pastel. But paper was crooked from the water...

About ground for painting. We have such a way that drawing icons. In translit "Levkas" or priming.

I translate in google translator some text about it.
“The solution is designed to prepare a variety of materials to paint. It is a creamy solution of casein and chalk in glycerol, ammonia and water in mass proportions: 7,5: 60: 1,75: 0,75: 30. Preparation: casein pour water and give melted, then mix it, add glycerin and ammonia. The resulting mixture with a brush applied on the surface you intend to paint. Once the gesso dries, the surface should be sanded and then cover the selected composition for dyeing.”

I'm so glad to talk with you! So interesting. So nice to hear your feedback.
Thank you, Carolyn!
Your images leave a pleasant in my soul :)

Carolyn Jean Thompson said...

Ti-igra, thank you for telling me about the recipe for priming. That was very interesting.

We have a large art supply company in America that ships overseas. You might want to visit their on-line store at http://www.dickblick.com. They have the ampersand pastelbords as well.

Sharon said...

I hope you'll show the two together when completed. I'd love to see them both.

ti-igra said...

Thank you, Carolyn!
I saw on this site PastelBord :) and many others interesting materials for painting. All for the artist will be happy :)