Pastel of one of my twins!

Jennifer Geary · 12-23-2004, 02:02 PM

Hello all!
Mary Smith got me really interested in Pastels (thanks Mary!) and this is my first attempt with the new Rembrandt pastels I bought. This is Maarten, one of my twins. He was sitting in his high chair with his bib on, looking so cute! Anyway, it is a little different than your average traditional portrait, but I think it turned out cute. Anyway, I am back in the swing of things, and almost finished another pastel of Frederik, the other twin. Will post that as well. Comments? Critiques? Thanks for looking, and MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!
Jen Geary

Chris Saper · 12-23-2004, 09:07 PM

Dear Jennifer,

You must be unbelievably busy, and I am glad that you are finding serious painting time! Maartin - Dutch?

This reminds me of some the first pastels ( first portraits I did of my kids...) It is SO hard to get resource material when they are so little! Mainly my suggestions are to take a zillion pictures in natural light, so that you have a direction to the light and a softness that will give you the info to depict the subtle forms of a baby's face.

I very much like the overall sense of color you have used, as well as the excellent, full range of values.

When you paint Frederik, I think you should work on using a more directional light, and think about managing your edges so that the sharp edges support the center of interest.

You will have many years of happy paintings ahead! Congratulations and best wishes,

Elizabeth Schott · 12-24-2004, 12:11 AM

Jennifer I agree with Chris, you must be awful busy!

When I first started with pastels I did what you have done too - that is outline the forms before using color, or thinking they need to be separated better by a darker line.

I think it would be an interesting study (in your spare time...lol) if you would redo this and make an extreme effort to not put ONE dark or hard line between your forms, meaning different shapes like those in the ear. If you could try that then post them side by side, it will show you how truly lovely this is even more! I would really try this before you get going on the next one.

Side note, Chris' book was my guiding light when I first started with pastels, it was better than others available, and I am not just saying that because she is here. I still refer to it.

Jennifer Geary · 01-18-2005, 02:47 PM

Thanks Chris and Elizabeth! I know I still have much to learn where pastels are concerned (well, for any medium, really!). I love to work with them so much! I will try to rework the Maarten portrait and see what I can come up with. I did one of Frederik, but it isn't as good. If I don't like it, it really must be bad! lol I will spare you and not post it. Anyway, I have Chris' book and have been reading it while I worked on my latest piece. I will post it next after I finish this. I just need to crank out as many pieces as I can, so as to really get a handle on these pastels! I know the picture I posted below (my dal molly) isnt' a human portrait, but it seems that I can do better with animals than people!

Managing twins isn't so bad. For some reason, I get more done with them around! I have finished 5 pieces in the last 2 months, and I didn't even do that all of last year!! Crazy.

Sorry it took so long to reply! I really appreciate you all! :-)