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December Sketch a day
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Message
Posted
Don't rush it! The last thing you need to do is spoil your painting AND your dinner, by putting too much pressure on yourself to finish... Positively pains me, the thought of spoiling dinner..... deary me, I've come over all faint....
I rarely paint once the Christmas festivities have begun - maybe in the quiet days from the 27th to the 31st; might do a bit then. And we're then into New Year's Eve, and wondering if, at 73, I can really stand the pace - last year I slunk into bed early, even though I was just a kid of 72; it's generally quiet round here, no church bells or, in this weather, fireworks. The only time I pray for rain is when there's fireworks in the offing - well, we can't all be little rays of sunshine.
I did have another go at that magpie you may have seen - didn't do a very good job of the one I showed, so I did a quick oil sketch as well, on a recycled canvas board, the surface of which was rough as guts..... think it probably helped! Now, he - well, they - have snaffled the last of the figs, and my heart goes out to them and all birds and critters out there in this unremitting, rotten wet....
Posted
Well Robert, I didn't potter on it yesterday and I'm just spending a couple of hours on it now getting it finished off. I wasn't sure how much detail I was going to do or whether I would do a green tonal base when I began. I decided to keep it simple with a bit of pastel and conte. I would think another hour and I'll be finished.
Posted
Yes, that nostril does need some attention Denise, but an excellent job indeed.
I don’t know what reference material you’ve referred to for this piece, but I can say that you have the lips just about perfect - I hate to see lips drawn showing sharp edges…
I’ve been busy also, I’ve knocked out a couple of watercolours over the last few days… as one does!
Posted
Alan, I took out a subscription last week, 9.50 per month. This gives me access to reference pictures of my choice, two live on line drawing sessions per week, which I can access anytime, if I miss them, If I want to take part and a few other things. I'm a member of Studio on here but as you will be aware, the site does not offer live drawing sessions and access to reference photos to use as needed. This particular reference photo caught my eye because I liked the way the left eye is ever so slightly closed, you would hardly notice it and you are not seeing any light reflection in it compared with the other eye.
Posted
I don't really mind doing drawings for friends when asked but it does take you away from doing the things you are right in the middle of. I thought, I don't want to spend too much time on this, so I'll do a charcoal drawing. I started on Pastelmat. I'm not sure at this stage if I will add colour into it. I don't know how other people find Pastelmat but I don't like it very much. Anyway, it is taking me longer than I thought and I'll need to spend at least another day on it.
Posted
Denise I use Pastelmat for all my pastel paintings. It’s a great surface for pastels as it can take many many layers but may take a little getting used to . I would say the key to using it is putting down lots of light layers first which makes blending easier and then adding details. Hope that helps.
Posted
Hahnemuhle make velour pastel paper Robert and it’s usually used more for paintings of animals because it can give a softer look for fur. When I tried it I found it’s not as easy to use as other pastel papers, not easy to blend on it. I’ve also been told you have to be more careful when framing it. I think Alan mentioned that you can get sample packs of pastel paper and that’s always a good way to find out what’s best to use for any artist. I’d like to add too that with any medium the cheap ones never work as well as the reputable brands. I definitely found that with pastels.