20 minute pastel sketch

Lon Haverly · 02-13-2002, 06:27 PM

Here is a sample of what I do - 20 minute wonders. This girl was 16 going on 30. I need your fresh eyes and viewpoints. I use 60 lb paper, soft pastels, and finish with Conte Paris pencils. I do the washy blends with flexible fabric bandaid! (Anyone else ever do that?) A bit unorthodox, but I started using them out of necessity. My fingertips were wearing off! Then I found FFs, and my style was completely re-invented.

Jonathan Benash · 02-15-2002, 12:15 PM

Lon,

I can't phathom creating anything in 20 minutes! My pastels usually take considerably longer, granted I usually don't work for short sketches, but if I did, I know even a head study of my subject takes me at least 2hrs. trying to get correct colors and tones for a finished portrait.

I think what you are able to do in only 20 mins. is incredible, you have captured great colors and tone in such a short period of time. I also can relate to your finger being rubbed down to nothing. I can't say I've ever heard of or tried fabric band-aids for blending pastels, maybe I will give it a try sometime. Thanks for sharing your painting and ideas.

Lon Haverly · 02-15-2002, 03:07 PM

Thanks!! Some people ask me why I don't spend more time on my drawings. They say, "Take your time, and do a good job." I say, "Then you don't want me to do my best!" If I were to take longer, I am not sure that the drawing would be better for it. Probably just overworked. I guess I know when to quit, which is an art in itself! The clock has become my style dictator. I have etched my style to fit the time demand. That is the whole thing about working from life. I heard that Mona Lisa had a great big smile when she started her pose. Two months later, she had charliehorse of the cheek!

Debra Jones · 02-15-2002, 08:13 PM

There is a frightening air of responsibility at being a portrait artist. Honestly, my first memory of the title was at Disneyland, watching them sitting on benches working pastels. I thought THAT was what portrait artists were. It is a noble and extreme talent, laying it on the line 10-20 times a day.

I visited New York for a show in September (yes, that September.... another story) and with all the museums I hit, the most IMPRESSIVE thing I watched for a full 1/2 hour was a man on the south east corner of Central Park, making the most phenomenal graphite... well, paintings would be more precise!!! He used brushes and erasers and it looked like airbrush when he was done.

Reminds me of the Joni Mitchell song about "playin' real good for free." Noble work.

Thanks for showing up.