ARTIST’S HINTS AND TIPS

• Always keep your colour wheel in mind, and try to keep a good balance of warm and cool tones. And, if after all your efforts you feel it’s not working, just do as I did at the beginning of this work – brush it off, slap a little water around, and start again.

After all it’s only a piece of paper; and just think of all the things you’ve learnt on the journey!

• An artist friend told me of this little process for making your own pastels – to make use of all your tiny pieces of pastel. Keep all your leftover pastel pieces in same-tone jars; crush them together, add enough water to bring the pastel together, roll them in foil and let them dry thoroughly. The result is a selection of unique and interesting colours!

• Photographs are my main source of reference, although I do sketch occasionally. I don’t enjoy painting ‘on location’ unless the weather is absolutely perfect, with no snakes, spiders, mosquitoes, or cars whizzing by; and no strange people galloping over the paddock to see what I am doing (and asking lots of questions). I find it difficult to keep my focus with the light changing continually. A dark cloud passing overhead can totally change the subject. I sometimes take numerous photographs from one area and integrate the most interesting elements from two or three of them into one painting. I call it artistic licence, and I really enjoy breaking the rules occasionally!

• Pastel artists are fortunate because they can select from a wonderful array of coloured papers. These provide an instant base or background for your work, and can be used to peep through – adding contrasting or complementary hints and ‘sparkle’ to your painting. Colourfix pastel paper is my favourite as it has a wonderful ‘tooth’ and can hold many layers of pastel. Sheets or large boards can now be coated/painted with different Colourfix tones if needed. Canson Mi-teintes paper has a choice of two sides to use – one is pitted and holds pastel well, and the other side is smoother and needs a lighter application of pastel but can also produce good results.