Monday, August 24, 2009

Playing with pastels

The first time I use pastels was when I was 10 years old. I use to go to a little atelier where classes were separated by ages, for some reason that I don't remember I end up with older people. I learn charcoal and I play with some pastels for a while (the younger classes were using pencil and watercolor)
I loved the texture at that time. About 2 years ago my husband gave me an art case full of acrylics, gouache, pastels and art pencils, the acrylics were good but I couldn't make the pastels work for me. I research and I was using a very bad quality so I bought some studio quality pastels and I was amazed by the difference.
She is the result of my playing with soft pastels. This is not my usual style as I have to look at a picture to get the right color and light. I am trying different kind of papers too and it makes a big difference too. I am liking smooth paper better than the one made for pastels.
I am going to be reading more about this beautiful medium that I rediscover and sharing my findings in a future post. If anybody is interested in me making a video about it leave me a comment.

24 comments:

susan buchanan said...

i would love a video of pastel work. i've been trying both oil pastels and dry soft pastels. not an easy media to use as it is do different from paint. the lady is lovely. best.

JolieArt said...

Stunning! I have experimented a bit with pastels, but never properly and never with anything above student grade. I must confess, I don't have the patience for them, but seeing your gorgeous piece makes me want to give them a second chance!

Carol B. said...

Oh. My. God. Adri, your pastel work is beautiful!! Since your work has often been more whimisical (although I have been noticing a more serious look to your work) I had no idea you could do such gorgeous traditional work. I would love it if you did a video. Your talents continue to amaze me!

BumbleVee said...

Wow.... Adri, she is absolutely beautiful !! you have a special talent...

Maria-Thérèse ~ www.afiori.com said...

Beauuutiful! Wow! And those eyes....

Priti Lisa said...

She looks like a fairy...very beautiful work! I would love to see a video, I have always found pastels difficult.
xox, Lisa

Giovanna said...

This is gorgeous!!! Pastels are lovely and you worked them so great!
Please come to my blog, I nominated you for an award. The rules are there :)
Have a lovely day ♥
Giovanna
www.bohomarket.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

This is simply gorgeous!! I would love it if you to made a video. I have had a box of pastels for a long time and have no idea how to use them!!

Boracay beach hotel said...

What a very beautiful artwork. You are such a great artist. Nice work!!!

Diane Duda said...

wow! so beautiful, adri!!!

Art by Darla Kay said...

Beautiful! And YES, please do a video! That would be wonderful!
Darla

Adriana Whitney said...

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments! Now I am encouraged to keep working with pastels.
I will start working on my video then.

Roberta Baird said...

This is gorgeous work!

Jose Thomas said...

Es un pastel visual contemplar tus trabajos, mis congratulaciones!

joth

http://jothvector5.blogspot.com/

http://jothvector5.blip.tv/

annie said...

It's very fine for a first one!
Congratulations!!

Unknown said...

wonderful piece! she is memorizing!

Joana Su said...

Wonderful painting! I painted a lot when I was a kid with my mother`s pastels (without knowing the tecnique off course!) Now I never do it... I have to practice because is very hard to get a good result.
Hug from Portugal!
joana

Dunroamin Farm said...

You do such beautiful work. You make wonderful faces. The face on this pastel is just gorgeous. Keep it up. Judy

Anonymous said...

wonderful artworks!

starblinkee said...

That would be wonderful! a pastel video would be very educational and fascinating. It is true that cheap pastels are hard to work with and produce bad results compared to the one's artists really use. You can check out the watersoluble type too, so you can combine the textured effect of pastels with that of watercolor.

Test said...

Suoer cool, I still need some work with my pastels. Love the background color

Victoria Stitch said...

beautiful colour eyes!

M said...

This is beautiful!:)You're a good artist.

Unknown said...

:O
This is truly brilliant. Amazing shading and it has a lovely soft texture. Brilliant...