Mary by the fire
 

Hi, just did this one of a great aunt.;Soft pastels on sanded paper.
I'm trying to loosen up and make the pastel strokes more energetic.

Margaret,

I like the solidity you have achieved and the strong colors juxtaposed against the dark background. Nice!

Margaret,

What an extraordinary head! I'd like to be able to see it better, and I'm wondering whether you can post an image that is not so compressed.

Mary
 

Hi, hope this file helps

Hello Margaret, this is lovely. Great handling of pastels.

Thanks for the comments. The pastels included one of two metallic shades for a change, didn't photograph very well but looks OK in real life. I enjoyed using such dark paper.

Margaret

I really like the juxtaposition of the finished and the schematic areas and the angle of the face three-dimensionally. Your use of the metallic pastels works very well. I find there's often a lovely silver quality to skin and you've brought it out very well. It must be quite tricky to use metallics and not get them garish, so congratulations. I really also like the sensitivity with which you've rendered the flesh, especially on the near cheek and forehead and around the eyes. Very nice work.

Thank you for your comments, it encourages me to keep going to have helpful feedback...