Pastel grouping...Sharon? Chris? Anyone?

Elizabeth Schott · 05-24-2005, 09:08 AM

I was curious, I have seen a number of studio setups for pastels in books etc and it looks like they have just "bin" grouped their sticks by color.

Has anyone found it more beneficial to group like colors via temperature more than value?

I end up putting my sticks in a container with cream of rice (dry) as a padding/self cleaning, but realize the further into the piece the more sticks in the container, the bigger mess I have on my hands.

Any input would be much appreciated, any images of setups would be much, much appreciated.

Thanks!

Sharon Knettell · 05-24-2005, 03:31 PM

Beth,

I have my pastels grouped by manufacturer, and have labeled the bins with the manufacturers color number. I do this so I can more easily reorder the proper color.

I also have the actual colors samples on paper (from www.dakotapastels.com) that I have put in a three ring binder. I have the pastel cases they sell, they are terrific.

Chris Saper · 05-24-2005, 11:40 PM

I am on the other end of the spectrum, like Doug Dawson, sort of the rice pack/spillout on newsprint mode.

We all have to just go where our natures take us.

Carolyn Bannister · 05-25-2005, 03:47 AM

This is an eye opener, never thought of trying to keep the pastels clean while I work, mine are in trays and as I pick one for the work in progress it gets transfered to another little tray.

Then they all end up in jumble and dirty and as i need each one again i draw on my shirt to clean it.

Can you tell i'm a beginner?

Can I ask a question regarding brands while i'm here?

I'm about to invest in a set of portrait colours (72 i think). I've tried Schimke, which I love, Sennelier which are alittle too soft for me and Rembrandts which I find too hard and a bit gritty. I can order a lovely set of Unisons but.....I can't get any here to try one first.

How do they compare in this list, I've read all the articles I can find and I know Sharon prefers them , but why?

Carolyn.

ps I might have to get someone to post me just one Unison

Sharon Knettell · 05-25-2005, 09:43 AM

Carolyn,

I actually prefer the Great Americans which, I believe you can get in France. They are as soft as Schminkes but have a greater color range, though Schminkes are adding colors. The skin tone colors are the best, they are evenly sequenced so you don't get big jumps or shifts in color.

They never crumble like Senneliers and their colors are gorgeous.

This is only my personal experience, but I have complete sets of Schminkes, Unisons, Senneliers, Great Americans, Giraults, Mt. Visions and bits and pieces of Rembrandts( too chalky ) and Diane Townsends ( too clunky and inconsistant color from batch to batch).

My second favorite is Unisons. Get them, at www.cornelissen.com in London. Good prices.

As to using the garment you are wearing to clean your pastels, it is my method of choice. One day while working, I quite innocently answered my door bell. I opened my door, said hello, at which point my neighbor dissolved in laughter. I had not only used my T-shirt but my face.

Elizabeth Schott · 05-25-2005, 11:48 AM

Carolyn,

I too am a Unisons fan, except that they are thick and can get tricky when you detail.

To clean them because I am a throw all together person too!
(that's why I started this) I just keep a towel in my lap and wipe them off as I go.

Sharon I have not heard of the Great American's - I'll have to do a search and see where you have discussed these.

Thanks for your input.

Carolyn Bannister · 05-26-2005, 11:37 AM

Thanks for the info, it's nice to know I'm not the only one covered in dust either

I've searched for hours on the net and can't get any info regarding suppliers of Great Americans, can't even find out who manufactures them, has anyone any ideas.

Unisons I can get hold of really easily and Sennelier and Schminke, this is such a big investment for me I'd really like to get it right.

Sharon Knettell · 05-26-2005, 03:28 PM

Carolyn,

I just put in a call to the company to see where they sell them in Europe.

They have an 800 number, 800-375-8232. I believe the company is called Great American Artworks.

www.dakotapastels.com and Jerry's sells them here.

I would not be without them. They do not crumble like Senneliers.

Jimmie Arroyo · 05-26-2005, 05:58 PM

I just bought my first big full set, it's the Giraults. I left them in the box, they look pretty that way

and figure it'll be easy to carry around. When I get bolder, I might put the portrait colors closer together. The assortment of Doaks, I arranged them by placing portrait colors closer to me, dark to light. I plan to get the set of Unison's, will do the same with them after more experience. I personally favor the harder pastels for now, I'm still nervous using the softer ones.

As for cleaning my hands, I use baby wipes, they work grrrrr-eat.

Sharon Knettell · 05-27-2005, 06:30 PM

Pastels like any medium are personal, some like a crisper line, some like a whisper touch.

That said Bob Straus, of The Great American Atworks Company just returned my phone call. He is the maker of The Great American Pastel.
They are sold in the Paris Sennelier store, Couleurs du Quai Voltaire www.magasinsennelier.com, 3 Quai Voltaire. They are not mentioned on the website but the contact information for the store is. He said that Dominique Sennelier will be there Monday to help ypu.