Pastels

Grandmabatty that’s lovely! I have tinkered with them in the past but they’re not my favourite medium. I still have some, lying low in a tin of ground rice - a quick shake cleans then up beautifully. Pastel pencils are good. This is the only one I ever did that I considered was worth wall space.

I think they’re both beautiful ?

May I ask, what sort of paper did you use?

Both lovely ?

Greyduster I love your pastel! The water looks so alive. And the reflection is fantastic. I used black mounting card. I do rough ones on pastel paper which is white, but the black background made the flowers pop.

If you haven’t already tried it, treat yourself to some Ingres paper. Great for pastel work.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have a look.

I know it's different but I was amazed at a recent art show where the lady was using liquid watercolours. no wishy washy stuff the paintings were almost photo quality. I really wish I could have time to paint.
your pastels are very nice too.

I don’t know about having the time to paint, I just wish I had an ounce of creativity or artistic ability. Totally lacking in that department, I’m in awe of your talents Grandmabatty and Greyduster, they’re both just lovely.

Lovely pictures.
I haven’t used pastels but hope to give them a try some time.
At the moment I am doing a drawing course and also trying watercolour painting. I’m loving it.

Beautiful pictures , I’ve never tried pastels but I love the effect they give

How are you setting your pastels. ? Hair spray is good and much cheaper than the stuff you buy in art shops.

Lovely pictures

I never set my pastel pictures . I was advised by an art teacher that a sheet of grease proof paper paper-clipped to the top protects them if they are kept in a box. Mine are about 18 years old and have survived well, despite a few house moves. I prefer pastel pencils and Ingres paper. I heard that hair spray is good but have never tried it.

I think the only problem with hairspray is that it darkens the colours more than the proper fixative does. That hasn't stopped me using it though. I love pastels, the pigment goes straight fro my hand to the paper without a brush or pencil getting in the way (I always have been messy!)

Hair spray was always used at art school as fixative was too expensive for poor art students. I think Elnette was favourite

This is a fairly recent pastel that I'm very proud of. I can see how much I've improved since my first attempt. I agree about hairspray darkening it, however I try to plan for that.

I love pastels too. Carry baby wipes to clean your hands if you use them outdoors. Have you tried scraping a little off onto the paper and rubbing it with your fingers rather than using the stick on the paper, gives a different result. I always use hairspray. My GD asked to borrow some recently " I know you have lots because you use it to fix your pictures." Doesn't say much for my hair!

I use my fingers a lot Glorianny and am a firm fan of baby wipes!

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