Sandra
 

This is a work in progress. In the final version there will be a butterfly sitting on her arm. I'm thankful for comments.

Hanna

WOW! This is really great. I can't critique such a fine portrait. Excellence needs no criticism.

Henry

Yes, I agree, this is very pleasing. I wonder if you could tell me what kind of support, or paper, this is done on? I am considering some new papers, of late.

Wonderful!

L

Thank you all for your kind words. The paper I have used is Canson MiTientes, on the smoother side. That is the only paper I have tried specially made for pastel, but I think it behaves very well. I mostly use Rembrandt soft pastels. I can post the finished image when it is ready.

Very striking work, please post more! You've handled a complex gesture beautifully.

Finished Sandra
 

Now it is as good as ready. What do you think about the background and the placing and color of the butterflies etc.? I will be having my first exibition in December and than I will display this image. But I have to make some more too!

Hanna

Delightful!
 

I love the way you floated the background around her also the way you did your foreshorted fingers and arm.

Tammy

Hello,

Beautiful portrait! Pastels I haven't used yet myself, but after seeing your work and the work of others, I am truly considering pastels.

Can you tell me, what tips can you give in blending pastels?

Mark Branscum

Hi Mark,

Try searching Forum messages for "pastel", or you might start here, as there have been a number of very helpful posts made.http://forum.portraitartist.com/show...=5235#post5235

Best wishes,

Thanks!

I went to the area you suggested. Although I didn't find specifically some of the things I was looking for I did find a lot of information. A question for the person who started this thread.

What sort of pastels did you use? I mean, is this pastel pencils, or other?

Thanks in advance,
Mark

Very nice
 

Hi, your work is very nice, keep on drawing.

Now Mark, I am finally going to answer your questions.

I use both soft pastel pencils and pastel sticks in all my drawings. All together I have maybe 60 different colors but I never seem to have exactly the color I am looking for. That's why I blend. I would like to be able not to blend if I wanted that kind of result, so I must buy more skintone colors.

I am absolutely not an expert, but I can post a description on how I work in the "Tips and tricks" section.

There are many so called experts that cannot achieve your results. Expert is as expert does.

Thank you, Mike!

Hanna,

What a delightful portrait. I recently visited a butterfly farm and they do land on you, and flutter around your head, and even lay eggs on your camera, if you stay still long enough. I love the expression on her face. Good luck with your forthcoming exhibition.

Expert... You don't want to be an expert anyways. I mean you know what an expert is don't you?

I hear tell that an Ex is a Has been and a Spert is a Drip under pressure... :)

OK, couldn't pass it up. Truthfully, from what I am seeing, you know what you're doing, for sure.

Again, it's a beautiful piece!


Mark

Hanna, I absolutely LOVE this portrait!! It is gorgeous!