why no wips?

[eysha]

Hi, i have pastels but no idea how to use them. I was hoping to find a couple of wips here but i find none.
Now i know the choice of paper is personal but there must be a technique to useing them. I have Derwent pastel pencils, nu-pastels and unison soft pastels too - i need help and advice on using them so any will be gratefully accepted as i am eager to start something.
Oh, is matt board the same as the mounting board - used to frame art work?
Thanks in advance.

[lucky]

Hi Eysha,

I beleive there are a couple WIPs in this section. Although, I think the majority of people who have posted here are fairly new to pastels also. Hope someone out there can answer your questions. I am too new to it, so this is pretty much all I know.

Paper does make a big difference. Right now I am working on a support that feels like suede and it is wonderful. The pastel really stays where you put it and you can layer on the pastel forever! I have also used Canson MI-Teintes, which I like because of the colors, it has a pretty toothy surface so it's probably best to try using the smoother side first. I've heard that Wallis is a great paper.

I'm pretty sure matt board is not the same as mounting board.

I just went on a pastel techniques search in google and actually didn't come up with much. Maybe you can go to a book store or library and check out some books on techniques. sorry, that wasn't much help. Good Luck.

[Gaka]

Hi there Eysha

Well you get your pastel sticks and you get some paper and you draw on the paper and rub them all around and do all sorts of different things with them, it is only limited by your imagination:D

Seriously...I have never had an art lesson in my life and I got to where I am by trying all different techniques, styles and by doing lots and lots of practice. Have fun, start with painting/drawing an apple or orange etc, learn how to blend, crosshatch, use different colors to get the desired effect etc. Try to achieve different textures, lighting, shadows, color tones etc.

My "Swallows" WIP that "IS" posted in this forum will only show you one style of pastel work. There are many different styles of pastel work and you need to try then as one style may suit you better than the other. As for surfaces to work on, you can use pastels on any rough surface that has tooth, I use the smooth side of Canson Pastel Paper and I have also used them on concrete and asphalt doing Sidewalk Art or Chalkart.

If I were starting in pastels Today with all of the available information out there on the internet, I would look at WIP's wherever I could and I would look at other pastel artists work on the internet. I would look into their work and try and analyse the technique or method that they used to do their art and try to replicate their technique etc. You could also do a search on Google for "Pastel wip" etc

Gaka

[Toni]

yah, i agree with Gaka. Pastels seem to only be limited by your imagination. I too, am self taught. No wrongs or rights, just what worked for me.
You won't be able to find that out without just getting in there and using up some of those pastels.

do a search, but don't be stagnated because no one says... you must do this first , and this second, and this color third....

a good way to think of it is applying them in layers sort of like CP. Pastels however are not translucent.

let us know how it goes, most of all have fun!

TJ

[Katherine]

I have worked in pastels for almost three years now and just love them.
I learned on velour paper. I have since added sueded mat board and Wallis paper to my list of surfaces. I can layer more on Wallis, but really love the velvety surfaces for the animal work that I do.
Check out Leslie Harrison's book, Painting Animals that Touch the Heart or Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist, both wonderful books on pastel painting, no matter what subjects you prefer.

[eysha]

Thanks everyone. Guess i best go play a while.
I just bought Harley Browns book as i love his work.
If i manage to do anything in pastels that isn't a mess i will post - but don't hold your breaths. LOL.
Thanks again for the help and advice.