Hope of the Clan
 

I posted a piece in the "other" forum unveiling, but I wanted to sort of get feedback on my technique. I love it. It is pastel over watercolor on rough Arches 180# block. Final size is 16x20.

I absolutely love the surface of pastel, especially over watercolor. I tend to be a scribbler so I am not all that in love with pastel paper. I am cheap so I avoid sanded board. I love watercolor toned heavy watercolor paper because I can keep scrubbing wet into it to fill in texture where needed, blend a bit with a finger to soften and leave twinkles on the high parts.

So here is my little Drum Major contestant in a highland games a few years ago. He was about 10 years younger than his competition but very very very serious about his job.

Debra, I like this, a lot! I like the background, how you've put a figure in there, but it doesn't take away from the boy. I like the light shining through his ear. The hand is well done also. I love the warm colors. The boy looks sweet and serious at the same time. The only thing that makes me wonder is the dark object by his shoulder, it catches my eye, draws it away from the boy, and makes me ask"what is that?"

And by the way, the little girl and the sand castle is a great one too!

Thank you very much on that one! I see it and as I have the full photo, it makes sense as part of another attendee. Having worked with it a bit too long, I needed a new eye.
I liked the dark to light to dark progression through the figure, but I have to justify that first dark. I will rework it. For some reason, the arm without interruption is not that strong, so let me have one more try.

GREAT call!

I gave it a go. Perhaps a stroke or two more for interest but I think it is improved!

Deb, this is wonderful.
You've captured a lovely moment.

Debra,

I do like this technique of yours. It seems to work very well with your tendency to paint rather thinly and transparently, which works well in watercolor but can be problematic with oils (as it gives the impression you are not taking full advantage of the medium). Putting the watercolor wash underneath and pastel over it remind me of putting a thin undercoat of oil on the canvas and then building up layers of thicker paint. I imagine it must work in a similar way. The result has lots of body without looking overworked. I really like it and I think you should keep going with it.

I'm really interested to read about your technique; I've never tried watercolour paper, thinking it wouldn't have enough tooth...think I'll give this a go, you've painted a lovely fresh image. Have you tried Kitty Wallis paper ?
Margaret

Debra, that did for me! You got rid of the confusing part, but still put some darks on his sleeve, I like it. Now my eye stays on his face instead of wandering over to the edge.

It is funny you saying I work thinly but what you have seen of me is pretty thin. I glaze a lot. But my old style has always been the thickest kid on the block. I think I do more glazing because it is a good way to stay in touch with the drawing and not lose the detail when I work heavily from photos. Not diving in too deep so I don't have to go back into it too deep to correct. In life painting, I have done the same in the last year or so, but haven't done as much oil as I used to.

I think of myself as someone who watercolors like and oil painter, so it is a shock to be perceived as an oil painter who paints like a watercolorist - however, I agree. Because I have been doing so many watercolors it has crept into my oils. I really have not done five in a row to get back in shape.

BUT I am a pastellist. This sort of thing is NO work at all. Just comes out naturally. Not sure exactly how it can work for me, and it is a bit more messy, what with splashing the watermedia on first and then grinding away at the pastels, it is not something I do with ANYTHING else in the studio going for money. Too risky! So I do it for my own entertainment most of the time. I think it is time to stop playing with what I am trying to make into a style and keep working on my self-proclaimed niche!

Deb, beautiful work , I to like this side of you.
I hope I'm not late with this for I just have one nit pick the boys left ear gives the impression of being to thick and one more thing the chroma on the boys right seems to strong presenting the under eye as it has unnatural thickness.

I hope I was able to help