Mary by the fire

Margaret Ferguson · 04-26-2007, 04:32 PM

Hi, just did this one of a great aunt.;Soft pastels on sanded paper.
I'm trying to loosen up and make the pastel strokes more energetic.

Enzie Shahmiri · 04-26-2007, 05:43 PM

Margaret,

I like the solidity you have achieved and the strong colors juxtaposed against the dark background. Nice!

Alexandra Tyng · 04-26-2007, 09:01 PM

Margaret,

What an extraordinary head! I'd like to be able to see it better, and I'm wondering whether you can post an image that is not so compressed.

Margaret Ferguson · 04-27-2007, 01:09 AM

Hi, hope this file helps

Grethe Angen · 04-27-2007, 02:13 AM

Hello Margaret, this is lovely. Great handling of pastels.

Margaret Ferguson · 06-03-2007, 05:10 AM

Thanks for the comments. The pastels included one of two metallic shades for a change, didn't photograph very well but looks OK in real life. I enjoyed using such dark paper.

Thomasin Dewhurst · 06-03-2007, 11:59 AM

Margaret

I really like the juxtaposition of the finished and the schematic areas and the angle of the face three-dimensionally. Your use of the metallic pastels works very well. I find there's often a lovely silver quality to skin and you've brought it out very well. It must be quite tricky to use metallics and not get them garish, so congratulations. I really also like the sensitivity with which you've rendered the flesh, especially on the near cheek and forehead and around the eyes. Very nice work.

Margaret Ferguson · 06-04-2007, 01:13 AM

Thank you for your comments, it encourages me to keep going to have helpful feedback...