I’ve spent this week working on a big piece for my upcoming exhibition in Charles Gilmore Fine Art starting on 14th June. This was a photo I took from my studio with a long lens. The two seagulls were being particularly co-operative.
I tend to photograph everything I think would make an interesting painting be it an attractive composition or nice light. This lay on my camera since last Autumn and it was only when I had a closer look I thought it was really something worth doing.
Hope you enjoy the progress, for any pastellists I’m going to talk about how to build up the depth of field.
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The finished painting (no name yet) 27″x19″ pastel on velour |
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My reference photo. I’ve changed nothing except I photoshopped the green hook further up the roof so I could crop the photo better. As you can see I really heightened the colours to liven it up. |
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My line drawing of the rooftop and seagulls in place. The background is pretty loose so I’m just going to block it in as I go. |
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Now I’ve got this middle band of the painting in. I’ve used little flat diagonal strokes to build up the colours in the trees and buildings. |
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Small circular motions to gently blend this top layer in. I can rub heavier in areas that I want more of the colour underneath to come through. |
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I’ve moved onto the trees in front now just taking it one strip at a time and working from dark to light. |
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Painting in the evening sunset…it could be a late night with all those roof tiles! |
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I’m using a black Faber Castell stick to mark in the main shapes of the tiles and add the dark tones. This makes it easy to come along and lay the colour on top. |
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Using the side of the pastel to cover a large area with this undertone. |
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Then lots of patience needed to go back and strengthen the dark areas, add the lighter tones and lastly those bits of moss! It’s just repeat now until the end… |
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So nearly there! |
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Close up section |
Hope you enjoyed the progress. I’ve really loved doing this painting and have learned a lot from it. If you’re near Belfast next Saturday 14th June 2014 you can see this and many other pieces in my show with fellow pastellist David Sweet in the Charles Gilmore Fine Art gallery in Belfast. Would love to see you there!
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The fabercastell stick…is it usual charcoal or some kind of willow charcoal? 🙂
Hi there, the Faber Castell stick is a harder type of pastel. Pastels come in different strengths hard to soft and a range is useful to have. I use this black stick in particular as it applies really well on the velour and is very dark black. Hope this is helpful 🙂
Thanks for sharing.I am new to pastels..always thought it was for children !!..and am amazed at what you have done here.Love the roof and bird !
Hi Iris, many thanks for the great feedback on my site. I've used pastels for over 10 years now and discovered them in school so I think they're for everyone! Happy pastelling 🙂
Lovely work. Enjoyed seeing the stages.
Thank you Laura! Appreciate you visiting and commenting 🙂