Hi Lauren. I love the new landscape! I never would have thought of drawing in a black border, but it really did have a transformative effect on the piece. I’m never comfortable wearing gloves when I work. What I do is probably a big archival “no - no“; I keep a retired kitchen towel and a bottle of pledge clean up (multisurface cleaner) on hand. I spray the cleaner on the towel and wipe my fingers off on it routinely. For some reason that cleaner doesn’t bother my skin or dry it out too much. But I use my fingers to blend more than anything, even though I have Sofft tools, cotton buds, and silicone shapers waiting beside my supplies.
It’s it crazy how much of a difference the boarder made. I think I might try and use dark mats on some of my next framed pieces. I love the hands on/tactile feel pastels have so I can totally understand preferring to blend with fingers. I used to do it a lot but when I lived in Montana my skin dried out so much it cracked and bled in the winter so I had to force myself to wear gloves. I am of the mindset to do whatever works for you. Especially, if you aren’t worried about it being crazy archival.
What a gorgeous landscape! Amazing how you simplefy the excessive details and keep the drawing quite vivid, glowing, I don't know how to explain, but patels landscapes give me amazing feelings! Thank you for sharing your skills and tips with us!
Here it is! If you like Canson pastel paper than this is a great option. One of the few true pastel sketchbooks I have found. www.amazon.com/Canson-Mi-Teintes-Pastel-Glassine-Texture/dp/B00F3D7KAW/ref=asc_df_B00F3D7KAW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198099762925&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8853862184294542498&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026969&hvtargid=pla-319275917440&psc=1&th=1
I am just a bit jealous about your ability to create with the Mungyo handmade pastel sticks! I just felt like 200 colors would not be enough variety for me! I am still trying to create with the “limited” selection of 400 with the sticks from Schminke! You paid a lot less too! I am learning more about mixing techniques by picking out colors before starting and simply making them work! I hope you share more about matting and framing your pastel works! I have not been happy with enough of my attempts to frame or even matt save just one! Well here’s to practice! Thank you for sharing all of your amazing techniques and experience.
@@mjpete27 Thanks! There is a lot of benefit that comes from just come making what you have work! I think it helps push you to be more creative. I have over a thousand pastels/pastel pencils and I sometimes get overwhelmed buy all the colors and textures. So I had to start putting arbitrary boundaries/rules up when I am working on a practice piece. Like only using a specific set or limiting the number of colors I can pull for a project. I do it a lot with watercolor as well. This has forced me to practice layering my pastels to mix colors. Another thing that has helped is using photoshop/procreate to help me analyze the colors in a reference photo. I use the eyedropper tool and that can help me get a sense of what the main colors are and their values. This helps me pick out more accurate colors from the start. Currently I am trying to get better at using neutrals. My natural tendency is to pick out the most vibrant colors and only use those but it can make my pictures read flat. I love your idea for a matting and framing video. When I get a pastel picture I want to fame I will be sure to share the process.
Beautiful 🤗🌹
Hi Lauren. I love the new landscape! I never would have thought of drawing in a black border, but it really did have a transformative effect on the piece. I’m never comfortable wearing gloves when I work. What I do is probably a big archival “no - no“; I keep a retired kitchen towel and a bottle of pledge clean up (multisurface cleaner) on hand. I spray the cleaner on the towel and wipe my fingers off on it routinely. For some reason that cleaner doesn’t bother my skin or dry it out too much. But I use my fingers to blend more than anything, even though I have Sofft tools, cotton buds, and silicone shapers waiting beside my supplies.
It’s it crazy how much of a difference the boarder made. I think I might try and use dark mats on some of my next framed pieces.
I love the hands on/tactile feel pastels have so I can totally understand preferring to blend with fingers. I used to do it a lot but when I lived in Montana my skin dried out so much it cracked and bled in the winter so I had to force myself to wear gloves. I am of the mindset to do whatever works for you. Especially, if you aren’t worried about it being crazy archival.
What a gorgeous landscape! Amazing how you simplefy the excessive details and keep the drawing quite vivid, glowing, I don't know how to explain, but patels landscapes give me amazing feelings! Thank you for sharing your skills and tips with us!
Thank you for your kind words! I always feel transported when I look at pastel landscapes. ❤️
Hi Lauren do you have a link to the pastel sketchpad with the glassine?
Here it is! If you like Canson pastel paper than this is a great option. One of the few true pastel sketchbooks I have found.
www.amazon.com/Canson-Mi-Teintes-Pastel-Glassine-Texture/dp/B00F3D7KAW/ref=asc_df_B00F3D7KAW/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198099762925&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8853862184294542498&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1026969&hvtargid=pla-319275917440&psc=1&th=1
It only has glassine on the white spiral bound pad. The other pads don’t have it.
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thank you! 😊
I am just a bit jealous about your ability to create with the Mungyo handmade pastel sticks! I just felt like 200 colors would not be enough variety for me! I am still trying to create with the “limited” selection of 400 with the sticks from Schminke! You paid a lot less too! I am learning more about mixing techniques by picking out colors before starting and simply making them work! I hope you share more about matting and framing your pastel works! I have not been happy with enough of my attempts to frame or even matt save just one! Well here’s to practice! Thank you for sharing all of your amazing techniques and experience.
@@mjpete27 Thanks! There is a lot of benefit that comes from just come making what you have work! I think it helps push you to be more creative. I have over a thousand pastels/pastel pencils and I sometimes get overwhelmed buy all the colors and textures. So I had to start putting arbitrary boundaries/rules up when I am working on a practice piece. Like only using a specific set or limiting the number of colors I can pull for a project. I do it a lot with watercolor as well. This has forced me to practice layering my pastels to mix colors. Another thing that has helped is using photoshop/procreate to help me analyze the colors in a reference photo. I use the eyedropper tool and that can help me get a sense of what the main colors are and their values. This helps me pick out more accurate colors from the start. Currently I am trying to get better at using neutrals. My natural tendency is to pick out the most vibrant colors and only use those but it can make my pictures read flat.
I love your idea for a matting and framing video. When I get a pastel picture I want to fame I will be sure to share the process.