[Chris Saper]

You can get sharp, fine lines in pastels two ways...one, use a crisp broken edge to establish a positive shape; or , and I think the more effective way, is to lay down the under color, and use a surrounding stick to cut away the negative shape. I think this would be the same principle as Peggy Baumgaertner's "not-mouth".

I don't find the tortillons to work very well for me as they seem to brush away most of my (heavy-handed) pigment. They may work quite well with a pastel painter who has a delicate touch, or perhaps who is a blender. I generally use them to scrub in the bottommost layer, to "stain" the surface, without filling the tooth.

Several years ago I saw one of Harley Brown's miniature pastel portraits...and I mean MINIATURE...my best guess is 3" x 4"...it was exquisite. He said it took longer than a life size piece to do..understandably so.

Chris

PS The next time I overhear someone looking at one of my paintings, and saying "I could do that with my elbow", I may know they're right, but would never let on.