PAINTING PROCESS

When painting any pastel, the following advice may be useful.

• Try not to load too much pastel on to the surface too early on, as later applications of colour, especially highlights, may not adhere. If you feel that you have overloaded the paper the excess pastel can be removed fairly easily with a stiff brush and then an eraser.

• Try to develop the painting from dark to light. When applying the colours, try to vary the amount of pressure on the sticks. This helps to create more variety and interest. However, try to leave the extreme lights and details until the final stages.

• Be very careful when blending as it’s very easy to create dirty colour by over working. If in doubt, experiment on a scrap of paper first until you are sure.

• Try to eliminate as much detail and mark making as possible in silhouettes and shaded areas. This will enable you to add texture, variety and colour to your lighter areas and focal point.

• Try to resist adding detail too early.

l Highlights and sparkly light work more effectively if the pastel is applied with more pressure, leaving more pigment on the paper. It will also help if the mark making is confident.

l Pay particular attention to tone. If the tonal sequence doesn’t work, the painting won’t work either.

l To increase your chances of producing a successful painting, always plan your composition carefully before you start.