Playing with Pastels

"Napkin with Pear", pastel, 5x7" "There are always a myriad of color choices that will work in any situation, as long as the tonal value is appropriate." Gaye Adams Last week I shared my thumbnail value drawing in preparation for painting. I could have made so many different color choices, but decided on a mostly blue composition with the complement of the orange pear. Mixing colors can be surprising at times! Take some of the shock out of the process with the following color mixing exercise... Use each color on the palette you commonly use or think you like. In the first row, paint the color straight from the tube. For pastels, begin with the most saturated colors corresponding to the 12 hues of the color wheel. In each subsequent row add a tint of white. See how light you can go!   Choose three primary colors from your palette and their complements. Gradually add the complement to each, making the color duller...

"Wonderful World", oil, 6x6" "Value does the work, color gets the glory." Richard McKinley Why is it so important to have a good understanding of values when you paint? 1. Values describe the scene in three important ways: Whether the subject has volume or is flat. What kind of texture the surface of the subject has. Where the light source is located, and how bright it is. 2. Values create the visual structure of the painting The darks and lights of a painting do more than just provide descriptive information-they also determine its structure. When you look just at the values you see the movement through the painting. Take the time to do a thoughtful value drawing thumbnail before you begin a painting. This one to the right is very small and has already helped me prepare for my next painting! Have fun playing with your paints and pastels! Judy

"Welcome!", Pastel, 6x6" "All colors are the friends of their neighbors and the lovers of their opposites." Marc Chagall This painting was done as a demo for the Creativity Fest at Middlebury Studio School a few weeks ago. There is a wonderful community of artists there that have made me feel very welcome! I  am currently teaching a class there that focuses on understanding and using color theory to make our paintings stronger.  This past week we reacquainted ourselves with the Color Wheel. I try to keep one with me wherever I paint and, even more importantly, I try to keep it clearly in my head! Can you "hear" the conversation between the complimentary colors in the painting above? If you want a quick refresher lesson on the color wheel, this short video by Bill Martin will be helpful. Enjoy this colorful day! Judy

Playing with Pastels: "Choose the light... : "When our thoughts, at times, wander into darkness... remember we are human and have been imbued with free will to choose the lig...

Playing with Pastels: "Choose the light... : "When our thoughts, at times, wander into darkness... remember we are human and have been imbued with free will to choose the lig...

"When our thoughts, at times, wander into darkness... remember we are human and have been imbued with free will to choose the light." Christopher Earle   This painting will be in an upcoming group show at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT which opens on March 4th from 5 - 7 PM . I hope you will come!

"Jaine with Tea", pastel, 24x18" I have many blessing, not the least of which is my beautiful daughter Jaine. When she was very little I started calling her "my best, best girl." Don't remember why exactly, but she certainly is! This painting will be in an upcoming group show at Noble Horizons in Salisbury, CT which opens on March 4th from 5 - 7 PM . I hope you will come! Judy from a "A Mother's Prayer" recorded by Celine Dionne (listen) I pray You'll be my eyes And watch her where she goes And help her to be wise Help me to let go Every mother's prayer Every child knows Lead her to a place Guide her with Your grace To a place where she'll be safe