Lily

Mary Sparrow · 05-28-2003, 08:20 PM

I decided over a year ago I would like to try some pastels. So, I bought a box of Rembrant portrait pastels from the local Michael's, (the only pastels they had) some art spectrum paper and Chris Saper's book. I finally pulled them out..over a year later.

Anyway, I don't know whether I'm excited or discouraged. I grabbed the first picture available and drew away as my baby napped, I suppose a better picture would have helped matters, but here it is. My first attempt and I need some HELP!

Mary Sparrow · 05-28-2003, 08:21 PM

..

Mary Sparrow · 05-28-2003, 08:23 PM

I actually used a few of Lily, but this was the main one.

Holly Snyder · 05-29-2003, 09:03 AM

I'll defer to those with more experience than I, but I think that you did a wonderful job. Especially considering the hard to see source material and that this is your first go at pastels. Beautiful work!

Mary Sparrow · 05-29-2003, 09:39 AM

I piddled just a little more with her this morning. And am ready for anyone who can help finish her up. I emailed a copy to her mother and she says likeness is dead on.

Sharon Knettell · 05-29-2003, 05:40 PM

Mary,

You have done a lovely job on this first attempt. Subtle tonalities, as you have in your reference are very difficult to do. I would not fuss with this one any further.

I have a few suggestions, however, for the future. When you photograph children (or anyone) out of doors, you would get better results with an IB filter on your camera. That would reduce the green in your skintones. I also use the Kodak Portra NC which gives me outstanding skintones, yours are a bit washed out. Another usefull trick is to overrouge the cheeks, the extra color helps make your subjects skintones brighter.

I think you can be braver and use more saturated color on your next one. First attempts can be a tad less rich than we want. Daniel Greene suggests in his book "Pastel" (sadly no longer in print) that you always pick the brightest color you think you can get away with. His tape "Erica" is wondeful, it is worth getting as I see you have a knack for the medium.

If you decide to continue with this, get the portrait set of Senneliers to further explore this.

Good Luck!

Mary Sparrow · 05-29-2003, 06:24 PM

Thank you for your thoughts. I didn't take that photo, It was one a parent had sent to me for an oil that I didn't use. When I decided to pull those pastels out yesterday, I just grabbed the first picture available. Thank you for your suggestions on the books and pastels, I'm definately working with a limited tool box!