[Garth Herrick]

I did this sketch of Matt, a neighbor from 26 years ago, to try out some new Unison Pastels I ordered at the PSOA Conference last week. I ordered the full set of 394 colors, and about 80% of it has arrived at my door. Perhaps I am the one who is actually anxious, wondering what I had just purchased!

These are very soft pastels in mostly very brilliant colors. I am on a learning curve. Despite all the different color options, the right color desired in my mind seems elusive, and does not manifest until several sticks are layered in application over another for a vibrating optical blend. That's when the magic begins. It seems these soft pastels can be applied in endless successive modifying layers. I have no idea how to apply these sticks of color with precision; the lack of precision seem part of the charm and effect of these soft pastels, and goes part and parcel with the cross-hatched weaving and juxtaposition of colors. Any focused resolution on eye and mouth details, are just accidents of these sticks of color landing in approximately the right place, or even the wrong place with a lot of modifying nudging corrections. It's almost like drawing with your feet!

At the PSOA Conference last week, Wendy Caporale spoke on the advantage to painters of exploring color vibrancy through pastels. Thus, my order of the full set! Frankly, I personally think it is much easier to paint in oils, but these brilliant pastels have opened up new possibilities and options in expressive color interpretation I would have overlooked in oil paint. I think she is right!

Matt posed for a handfull of slide and black and white narrative photographs in 1981, outside my parent's home, and over the decades his impish character has made an appearance in several figurative paintings, themed on the set of that front porch. Although his theme is old, I recall Matt having a kalidoscope of colors throughout his face; even some elusive cool blues and greens, in concert with his eyes. This seemed a perfect challenge to express with these new pastels.

I suppose this sketch could be retouched and modified forever, but I thought I would pause here to share this for a critique. Any thoughts on the use of and experience with soft pastels like these Unisons is welcomed too!

The support is an 80 lb. pad of 18 x 24 gray pastel paper from Borden & Riley. Any paper recommendations are welcomed as well.

Garth