When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

soft pastels

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Bell Rock AZ

Thursday, February 6th, 2020


 

Bell Rock AZ, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed

  Bell Rock AZ, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed, phase 01   Bell Rock AZ, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed - work in progress Phase 02

Pacific NW Sunset

Thursday, January 30th, 2020


 

Pacific NW Sunset, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed
Pacific NW Sunset, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

I’ve never really been successful with soft pastels. They are ultra-fussy, ultra-messy, particularly once you start adding dark colors, which leaves you feeling ultra-discouraged at the end of the day.

I’m up for the challenge though, with the additional provocation to use black, which I never use, preferring usually to use purple or blue or other color combos instead. Using black is an offense that will be fun to defy, at least that’s the intention. Black will help the other colors sing with contrast, assuming I’m able to prevent too much accidental blending. Workable fixative is very helpful.

The 18 x 24 inch pad of 140 lb cold pressed no-name watercolor paper that I ordered online does not have the tooth or qualities I like as a painting surface, but is working nicely for soft pastels. There are 6 more pages left in the pad for this pastel series.

Alberta Bound

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020


 

Alberta Bound, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed

Alberta Bound, 18H x 24W inches dry/soft pastels on 140 lb cold pressed.

Chrysanthemums

Tuesday, June 26th, 2012


 

Chrysanthemums, 85L x 45W x 3D inches, graphite, charcoal and dry pastels and primer on 100% cotton, fixative

Chrysanthemums, 85W x 45H 3D inches graphite, charcoal, soft pastels, fixative with primer used as paint on white 100% cotton. Grey narrow frame. This is a beautiful painting, impressive because of its size and the expressionistic style of the flowers. The small photo doesn’t do it justice, so some detail images are provided below. It’s hanging in our family room on a grey wall beside the Chrysanthemums Chair. They do look great together!

Detail images: Chrysanthemums, central right detail   Chrysanthemums, central left detail   Chrysanthemums, upper right detail
  Chrysanthemums, central detail   Chrysanthemums, left detail   Chrysanthemums, right detail

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