Cynthia, thanks so much. I look forward to meeting you next week!

Garth P., I know. Those eyes are something else. Thanks.

Garth H. Thanks for the feedback. It will be great to finally meet you and see your painting in person.

Well Jimmie, I don't know if Lisa struggles with hers or if they are easy, but I do know that I don't finish mine in two hours (!!! - I wish I did!). Getting it down, all the bits rendered is not too difficult. I do make a lot of missteps because I'm still learning this medium, but I don't wig out. I know if I see a problem, I can correct it. The last stage of refinement on this one was tricky because I sensed something was (is) not quite right with it, but I didn't (don't) quite know what - I'm pretty sure my skin tones (color, chroma?) is off. So yeah, that's frustrating and has been a struggle. But I just have to do a lot more of these and figure out what I'm doing color-wise. I'm still quite a novice when it comes to color - skin tones in particular.

And if these few pastels that I've done are worth anything it's because you keep raising the daggone bar!! (you see I have this tiny little competitive streak in me! :) ).

Carolyn, thank you so much. I'm glad you used the word "tranquillity." My sister saw this one and "Yulia" and the words she used were "melancholy" and "depressing." I just told her that it's my niche, that I think there is a market out there for depressing portraits, since not everyone is happy. She suggested I put my brochures in psychiatrist's offices, halfway houses, homeless shelters....

What would I do without you guys!

Mike, thanks! Will we be seeing you next week in Va.?

Terri, thanks a bunch. No, I worked from a photo I took. Good pose, nice look, but the color was not great (I like to blame my color issues on my little digital camera!).

Mary, I really do like this medium. I know that I'm working in a very tight, controlled manner (it's my m.o.) - that may not be the best, but as I learn, I'll find new and better ways.

Chris! Thanks and can't wait to meet you!

David,,
This is a portrait that does reach out to the viewer. It is very compelling. And I like the simplicity of the colors, too. Congratulations on a very nice painting!

pat

Speed issues
 

Gee, my computer crashes (yes, really) for a short period of time and look what goes up! You both, regardless of speed, have far outdone me. Far outdone. Did you hear me? David, this is stunningly beautiful. Your cool palette is perfect. I don't even know what to say. I have no business commenting on such great work (though that obviously hasn't stopped me). Your subject is beautiful. I'm thinking I need to spend A LOT more time on my pastels. Speed is definitely not my friend.

Did I mention I love this piece?

David, I can't wait to see what you can do when you get more comfortable with this medium. She is lovely, and you have captured her "Picasso" eyes. Personally I see nothing wrong with your controlled, detailed style. You have an uncanny ability to capture the mood also, not photographic in the least. I like just looking at them.

Jean

There's nothing wrong with speed as long as everything works, but there's also nothing wrong with taking your time for the same reason. I personally don't want to go quick on my work, maybe the commissions, not on my own stuff.

Lisa, I hope you did'nt take it the wrong way about you only taking two hours. Just the opposite, bless you for only taking two hours, but making it look like it took you much longer. I simply enjoy taking my time, I'm in a business of rushing; I can tattoo a portrait in less than two hours. I just love creating, so I feel like I'm cheating myself doing something quick. Keep doing what you're doing, your speed must contribute to the freshness of the pieces. :)

Like David mentioned about the inexperience, it's the extra thinking I can do without. Struggling with color ends up taking so much of my time. I can't speak for David, but I would guess that half of the time I take on a pastel is stress.

David, you make it look pretty easy, and your closeups don't look caked on which is why I assumed you may be doing these quickly and somewhat stress-free. Some people don't think I'm stressing, but there are many layers in my work, and those layers are due to trial and error, not creativity.

Anyhoo, David, more work, please.

Lisa, first of all, thank you so much for your comments - coming from a great pastellist like you, it means a lot! Jimmie is right. If you can do work - like "Lots 'o' Locks" - of that caliber - in two hours!!... don't knock it. What a gift! I still don't believe it (you are either lying, or exaggerating, or you are a freak of nature). So, really, speed is your friend. Or maybe, what you are really saying is that you are "on" speed when you do these pieces....hmmm....ok., now I'm starting to get it. :cool:

Yeah Jimmie, I think it's totally natural to stress out while figuring out a new medium. But it's true, I don't stress as much as I used to. I think part of that comes from teaching and seeing students get so wound up over a project they've barely begun. They've got three lines on their page and they're ready to tear it up "'cause it doesn't look good." That's an extreme example, of course, but I think we're all prone to moments like that, and I can recognize that tendency in myself. The frustration is all about doubt, isn't it? If we could only see the end of things, we'd relax quite a bit and let it all unfold - as it surely will. With every piece I do there is some struggle - the only thing I've ever done that was virtually stress-free was "'Abdu'l-Baha profile." I knew exactly what I wanted from the beginning and it was like following a script. It was great! Working with pastels is nothing like that, yet - maybe someday! :)

But my God Jimmie! You have nothing to worry about. Your work is so outstanding - if stress and pain is an invariable part of your process, if frustration is the "grist" for your "mill"...then just slather it on, brother, 'cause then pain is truly your friend!! :santa:

Patricia, thank you so much! I'm especially pleased that you thought the colors were ok. It's what I struggled with most. It's posting a little bluer than the original...

Jean, I am so heartened that you don't think they look photographic or "photo-realist." That's not at all what I'm after and I get worried when others think so. Thank you, thank you, thank you!