Working from a gesture to develop a finished pastel with simple shapes

Gesture

Developed from charcoal gesture.

Another gesture

Finished pastel based on the charcoal gesture.

Under Painting to Pastel

I continue to work in pastels in preparation for a demonstration and half day workshop.  We will be studying under painting and how it can support the  underlying plan of our composition.  

Here is the under painting.

Next is with pastel.

Here is the completed painting.

Pile Up 1 & 2 , 12x9 pastel

Decided to work on two at the same time today with different under paintings.  I found during the process it mattered a lot what color I was working over.  In the end there is not a strong difference.  My thought is the under painting leads me and I respond it it.  Some lead better than others.  It isn't so much that the paint shows through as much as it simplifies my process..  It can make it easier or give me a fight.  What it does best is it gives me a course and thought process to follow.

Under painting

Pastel applied

Left one finished

Right one finished

Just Before the Flowers Die

It's day two with these tulips for me.  They actually have been in my studio since my class last Thursday.  They have given their all.  So today I did the second and last completed pastel with with them.  

Here is the under paint and pastel process.

Back To Pastels Is Not So Easy

Today I spent a much over due day working in pastels.  It was not so easy to transition back.  Looking into a large box of unorganized pastels was daunting.  I started off doing 2 throw always.  Then I got here.  I feel tight.  This seems to happen when the comfort and flow disappear.  It was good to work and focus for a good amount of time.  Looking forward to tomorrow for more.

Below is the work in process with the underpainting through pastel.

Reworking Pastel

Did this a few months ago and put it away.  I love taking old work out and trying to rework it or add things.  I figure, what do I have to lose.  So here I neutralized the background, pushed the intensity of the color in the foreground and added a few suggestions of people on the rocks.  Fun!

Process of Seeing Color Through Still Life

Setup

Color wash on Uart paper

First over with pastel

Pastel continued

Refinement and review

Sacked

 "Sacked" is another pastel.  Apples are such a wonderful subject to bring in the new year.  They have such beautiful color and form.  

Two In The Bag

"Two In The Bag" is the first pastel still life for the year.  Feels good to get going again.  

Yellow Leaves, 12x12 pastel

Working from a photo I took last week in Yosemite National Park I found myself struck by the light.  It really was amazing to see the color, light and beauty this treasure holds.
For "Yellow Leaves" I laid down an under painting of direct color.  I use this method to work quickly,  Laying color down first, I stick to my values.  It is a good way for me to design a loose pattern of shapes and to cover the surface.  Once that is done I go to pastel.  I follow the under painting and make any alterations needed.  Pastel is wonderful for this, as it is opaque and covers well.  I leave areas of under painting coming through which gives the surface dimension.  

Sun Drenched 20x16 pastel

This is a product of a day in the sun painting.  It was fun working in my yard painting with Guerra pigments for my under painting and then pastels to the finish.  The light was disappearing late in the day.  So I quit, figuring I had taken a photo.  I continued to work referencing the photo a few times, but mainly worked from memory of the feeling of light.  Photos just don't give enough info.  So best to abandon and go on.

A View From My Window 16x12 pastel

I wish I had painted this from my window, but not possible.  So then it is the dependence on photos and memory.  I am feeling more and more that I need to make time to be out in plein air.  Oh, to be disciplined...

Patty in Pastel

It was a very warm day to paint the model.  My friend Kamillia offers her garage and arranges models to pose for a small group of us.  We all jump in to help set up the stage, back drop and lights.  Everyone has something to say about the pose and its all good input.  We have been doing this for about 5 or 6 years twice a month.  It is a precious group of friends.  I am grateful everyday for the chance, for one, to paint from a live model and second to have these women in my life.

Patty is a wonderful model we have come to count on.  She and her two little dogs come for the day as we paint and share the day away.

Life's A Beach

I love the beach.  I'm not much for sunbathing though.  I like to observe the sounds, smells and movements of water, sand and people.  I also like to photograph what I observe in hopes of capturing some part of the actual experience.

This 12x9 pastel was a challenge in the format I choose.  I wanted to convey the vastness of space and the openness of the environment.  Dealing with the lower 2/3s of the composition was fun in that I had to be more abstract because there wasn't anything but space.  Space is what I like about the beach so I wanted to try to convey it.  This is one for me to try again and again.

Checking The Lines, Irvine Lake

Irvine Lake is a local fishing venue not far from my home.  I was out there for a concert on the shore and decided to take in some of the activities via my camera.  Not much for fishing myself, mainly because I have only fished once from the shore.  Might be something to think about taking up.  Seems relaxing and tranquil from what I have been told.  My husband has spent some time out on this lake and enjoyed himself.  It could be fun to paint out there.  

6x12 pastel on Wallis paper

On The Mesa

Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate for the Orange Art Association.  I was particularly nervous.  Once I got started it was like being in my studio.  Great group of artist looked and with great support.  

I demonstrated my under painting process and pastel application.  Every time I do something like this I have to think out my process.  I realize there is no formula and every painting speaks its own language.   Embracing my fear and using it to give the piece energy is a better path...And fun.

12x16 pastel on Uart paper

Passing Rows of Growing Stuff

Like I have been saying for a few posts, I like looking out the window of my car.  Passing rows of trees is really optical at 70 miles per hour.  The rows flash by.  I would love to tell you what's growing here, but I'm not sure.

14x11, pastel

Fatigue

Fatigue, 16x12, pastel

Denise is a  regular at my model sessions.  I love setting up the scene.  Hanging fabric from a clothes line and moving furniture around is the fun of the set up.  Denise sat in this very comfortable chair and almost fell asleep.  I thought the glass in her hand suggested a long evening ending in reflection and fatigue.

I once again enjoyed the application of dispersion color as an under painting.  Pastels are always fun.  Love the feeling of dragging the pastel over the surface of the Ampersand, pastel board.  It was a fun day with lots of music and discussion among artists.

What's Next

Sometimes we wait a long time to get to a place we have always wanted to go and there is only one day to see it all.  It can feel like a chore checking off the list and overwhelming too.

Observing Life

Chicago Art Institute is one of the greatest places to observe the observers.

Pastel on hand textured hardboard using marble dust, gesso and a paint brush is a 6x6.