Comments on: Demos At IAPS In The Schmincke Pastels Booth

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 19:00:50 +0000

In reply to Sandy. Thanks Sandy! Challenge is good. It leads to growth whether through success or failure. That's a reward in itself. Of course a wee dram might be nice too.

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:57:53 +0000

In reply to Stephen. You have that right Stephen!

By: Gail

Gail — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 18:57:17 +0000

In reply to Robert A. Sloan.

Thanks for the compliment Robert 🙂

I like the way you describe a starter kit has having a particular character. You are so right about that as each brand curates a different collection of colours and values. Using a limited palette is such a good exercise – to focus on shape, line, composition and value. It can be difficult to create what you think you want but the limitation can lead you down some wonderfully satisfying paths if you let it.

And yes too to the need to add to a starter kit usually with a few different light selections. Best is to create one’s own limited palette. It just requires time and attention!

Thanks for adding to the conversation.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Mon, 20 Jul 2015 01:14:04 +0000

Well done. You do set yourself a good number of challenges and are surprisingly astute in overcoming them plus the teaching value of what you produce. Congratulations! Somehow you must receive a reward ??????? S.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 23:02:46 +0000

I do like Schminkes. I have to be careful, though, because they’re so soft that I can fill up the paper’s tooth with the first layer. Light and easy does it.

By: Robert A. Sloan

Robert A. Sloan — Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:14:57 +0000

I’m not usually into abstracts but the one you did is beautiful! The small saturated palette worked well in it. There are times when despite owning well over a thousand pastels, I’ll turn to a small starter palette for its particular character. I sometimes pick them up on clearance or to try a brand in a little more depth than one sample stick, every time it makes me get more creative on color and value treatments.

If a set has few lights, be prepared to buy extra white sticks to create lights. This may also slow the painting process, my favorite plein air sets are between 24-60 colors in half sticks in a relatively small box. I often pack without many neutrals, preferring to overlay colors within the same value range to mute them.