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WIP : new to soft pastels

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IMG_0700

Gillian Cooke

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As some of you know I am dabbling into soft pastels. Just sharing my second shot at a p as tel painting of a house pier in Stromness from the shoreline. Using Derwent soft pastels and CarbOthello hard pastel pencils on brown Mi-Tientes cotton paper
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, NAPA

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There's quite a lot of texture on that paper - which suggests to me that you might need to apply the pastel a bit more heavily than on some others.  I do use pastel - but only for sketches; so I don't qualify as an expert.  Looking good so far.  

Edited
by Robert Jones, NAPA

IMG_6882

Paul (Dixie) Dean

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It’s looking really good Gillian . Good for you for giving it a go.

Alan Bickley

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I’ve got a decent selection of CaranD’ache soft pastels which I rather like using, not tried hard pastels apart from Conte sticks in sanguin, which is such a great colour! This is developing nicely, I like the solid mass of the pier, but  I’d perhaps tone the grass down a touch, it’s a bit too green maybe!

Denise Cat

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This is looking good Gillian. On the tips and techniques there are some good exercises to follow for soft pastels, I've tried them and they are very enjoyable.

Edited
by Denise Cat

Moi 17

Linda Wilson

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It looks as though it is going well.  I use the reverse side if Mi-teintes and use my fingers to rub in.
IMG_0700

Gillian Cooke

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Thanks for all the comments, thoughts and tips! Linda I was planing to use smooth side but got sidetracked and ending up on the rough side! Robert I am finding I need to be quite firm when applying the pastel to fi,ll the tooth!Still I am only in the learning process and mistakes are part of that! Yes Alan that green is bright but it is a moss which was a vibrant green however I will be tying to tone it down. Not done anymore this evening because of poor light!