A Pastel Demo

Girl with Flowers
20x16" on Canvas

A very cute native Alaskan from Barrow.  I'm trying something different:  Nupastels on canvas.   How can it miss?

I was interested in trying this because Sherry McGraw did a picture with pastels that was very nice.

http://www.sherriemcgraw.com/art-gallery/paintings/rotating/

Using Paintshop Pro I quickly try several variations the golden stain on the canvas will set the mood.

I make a four inch grid on the computer...

...and draw a few of those as a guide on the canvas with a colored pencil.  You can see them faintly.  I sketch the areas of skin to establish the location and size.  Then I block in with acrylic Indian Red feathering the edges.

I mix acrylic yellow ochre with water and begin to sponge it on.  It's not working, the paint seems to resist going into the low spots.

Switch to the old reliable throw-away 1" bristle brush.

That's better.  This is a gallery wrapped canvas 1.5" deep so I paint the sides, too.  Let it dry.

Added a little orange to the yellow ochre and applied another coat with the canvas flat this time to avoid runs.

With the same brush I stipple Burnt Sienna in a random pattern.  Then carefully rub on a darker muted color with a rag wrapped around the index finger.  The dark color is Indian Red, a cool green and white.  Small amounts of this mixture are rubbed on the palette to spread it evenly on the rag, then it is applied lightly to the canvas to hit only the high parts of the canvas weave.  Now it's time for the pastels.

It's been all acrylics to this point and all new ground.  I've never done a painting like this, which makes for some apprehension and some excited anticipation.  I visualize the girl's image on the canvas and imagine it looks stunning.  We'll soon see.  If this doesn't work my plan is to try it in oils and watercolor

Starting with Nupastels.

The charcoal pencil is useful.

Have to rub pretty hard.

I've layed in the hair with vine charcoal.  Being softer it goes on better than the Nupastels.

Now I try the sidewalk chalk.

More hair.

Well, that's as far as I'll go.  Call it an experiment and a learning experience.  Has potential, but next time I'll use soft pastels, more colors and reduce the texture of the canvas with modeling paste or several coats of gesso. 

I'm going to start another picture of this little girl.  I've had a brilliant idea, maybe.  Another new thing.  Let's see if that goes better.  See the next try here.

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