Sunday January 10, 2010

Well my latest undertaking was to try and learn pastels. I needed a jump start in learning and so I've spent the last week following a wonderful demo that Desiree both wrote and videotaped. So much information but I'm learning. We started with a piece of sandpaper fine (think mine was not so fine as my fingers feel like they are worn to the nubs). There is so much to remember and do and it has helped me slow down a bit and be patient. I also realize I am not a realist painter in the truest sense or really any sense. I add color that's not there and I don't follow a photo totally. I have to be satisfied with the way that I interpret but continue to learn.

As I said I went from this:





To this:



And then this is all I'm doing on this one.



I'm certainly not that pleased with the outcome but very pleased with all I have learned. The next one I will not have to learn each step but then move on to other things that I need to learn (like how to properly blend soft pastels). I'm really excited about learning this new medium but I think for the rest of the day I'm going back to watercolor and give my finger pads a chance to heal a bit.