Sheila from life
 

A friend of mine, Sheila came over today. Was sitting in our dining room (my studio) when I noticed the golds on one side of her face with blue and violet on the other. The shadow side was to the window and gold came from incandescent light. I had a very short time to work on this, I'll probably never see that light again, but I do want to finish it. Any suggestions would be welcome, or is this a quick study and ditch?

Jean

Oh, its pastel, 19" x 24".

Sheila again
 

I was a little "wired" last night. So posted the photo before I should have. I worked some more on it, and took a better picture in real light.

When I did this I knew that the blue and violet were going to disappear quickly so started with the flat side of a pastel, and blocked in shapes only. The blue in the hair is distracting, so I sprayed it with fix and am going to try to incorporate it better. I hope I don't work it to death, but then again, it's only paper and chalk!

Jean

A good learning experience
 

Well, I messed with it some and will call it quits on this one. This exercise really made me see the more unusual colors in flesh in shadow and incandescent light. I didn't have enough colors (one can never have enough pastels) so tried layering to get more accurate tones. I still don't like her hair but don't want to muddy it up more. Is this a landfill piece?

Jean

Detail
 

I regret adding lines to her eyelid fold. And using black at all, but find that none of my pastels are dark enough. Is there any particular brand that has truly "dark" colors?

Jean

Jean,

I would not recommend ever continuing a portrait done from life without the model, or at least some good photos...and even then only if you've come far enough along in the studio session that you have the colors and values properly stated.

Harley Brown would walk around the studio during the model break and smack his cane on the easel of students who condtinued, "NO working without the model!" Good advice.

Most manufacturers have begun to offer darks as smaller sets in addition to their regular sets. I usually go for the Senneliers by the stick, so I can actually see haow dark the sticks are.

Lesson learned, landfill lurking
 

Hi Chris, thanks for confirming what I suspected. When I went back to it I lost all the good stuff. Next time I'll follow the rules.

Jean