Bill

This is my latest portrait of my Husband. This is my first attempt at painting him and I am happy with the likeness. However, I am still struggling with color. It is 16" x 12" pastel on Mi-Teintes paper. Any suggestions or comments?

Here is the reference photo.

[Steven Sweeney]

I

[Elizabeth Schott]

Hi Linda,

I like a lot of what Steven said, I think all those corrections would really help make this a stronger piece.

I think if you could find some threads through the "search" that have been posted about the color, value and temperature it would be helpful too. Check into the "local color" of your husband's skin in this light and build on that. Right now it looks like you are counting on reds and yellow, in the photo he has a nice skin tone - look at the part of on his right forehead and nose. Do you know the time your photo was taken, that will help you determine your shadow colors.

The Mi-Teintes paper can be hard to work on if your pastels are a little harder, like Rembrandts, they tend to leave a lot of "paper holes" I am a smudge queen so maybe you should blend more as you build your color. I find it easier to work on a larger paper too. It helps get the big sticks from not messing up my detail.

I think with more work you can take this base and give it some life.

p.s. Your husband's a cutie! Mine would kill for his hair!

Thank you Steven and Beth. I appreciate all of your comments. I totally see all of your points, Steven. I will make the corrections and see what happens.

Beth, I AM struggling with Rembrandts on this paper, but it's what I have on hand right now. What brand of pastels do you use? I enjoy sanded paper more and find it easier to "smudge".

Thanks again.

Linda

[Elizabeth Schott]

Linda, I have fallen in love with Unison Colour pastels that are made in England, they are in between a Rembrandt and the real soft ones - Sennelier, Winsor & Newton. They fill the paper and do not scratch off as easily with extra layers. It's nice to do the softer ones on top of them. I only use my Rembrandts for some of their extreme colors or large backgrounds.

At first I loved the Mi-Teintes paper, because there was such a nice selection of colors and I could get them at Michael's. I do like the sanded paper better though - there is one called "Colorfix" sanded pastel which comes in colors (I have become more neutral grey) and is cost effective - then for a treat I love Wallis sanded. The last two I buy mail order.

Keep working!