In the mean time, I am trying to know and learn other techniques than only those used in workshops. So besides watercolor, gouache and acrylics I wanted to work with soft pastels. After seeing many beautiful works created with this medium I felt that I like it and want to try.
Here is my first soft pastel portrait of a woman, painted from a tiny and old, black and white photograph. Colors are not so natural but I wanted to see how these look on paper.
I've heard also that after fixing, soft pastels may become less saturated or darker, thus I needed to check everything by myself.
Here I used two sets of pastels, one from Derwent
(pretty hard 12 pieces) and another from Faber-Castell (36 pieces), really soft and comfortable to use.
Still it's pretty new painting medium for me so all ups and downs ahead.
Paper used is Fabriano Ingres 160g, textured, olive green.
Well?? All suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Support the artist
Here is my first soft pastel portrait of a woman, painted from a tiny and old, black and white photograph. Colors are not so natural but I wanted to see how these look on paper.
I've heard also that after fixing, soft pastels may become less saturated or darker, thus I needed to check everything by myself.
Here I used two sets of pastels, one from Derwent
(pretty hard 12 pieces) and another from Faber-Castell (36 pieces), really soft and comfortable to use.
Preliminary sketch took me about 30 minutes, using the red pastel, then I added all other colors. After next two hours the picture was ready. I am going to paint second one in the same convention and then I will switch to more natural look.
Two more things could be done, blending some areas and adding more detail using pastel pencils. Well.. I just forgot I have these pencils, as for blending, I used only the blending paper stick in some areas.
Paper used is Fabriano Ingres 160g, textured, olive green.
Well?? All suggestions are welcome and appreciated. Thanks for reading.
Support the artist
Wow! I've never worked in pastels and wouldn't know even where to begin. Looks fantastic to me :)
ReplyDeleteIt's much easier to use than watercolors or acrylics and I am going to master it too ;) Thanks for your positive feedback!
DeleteOK. So, You Are A Mysterious Man With Magic Hands !!
ReplyDeleteThis is great ! I bow to those who do portraits :) Very nice features and expression. Turning a B&W to color is just amazing !!
You're Multi-Talented !!!!
Practice makes you perfect;) I just need more practice.
DeleteAnd the key is to master the sketch first, pencil, charcoal or anything, and then you can do what you just imagine.
I am still learning.
You know I thought it's a great idea to convert those old photos to colorful paintings instead of scanning and printing.
Also people are so happy when we give them our artworks, it's a great solution as gifts! And... you're going to live forever:)