I have learned, through trial and error, that I get better results with less effort if I use quality papers and paints and pastels. Because our class is set up where everyone works on their own projects, that means that everyone gets to learn from what the others are experiencing. In the dim and distant past, before Covid-19, one of our artists introduced the rest of us to Clairfontaine Pastelmat paper. This company has been around for over 150 years. And, do they know how to make pastel paper!
Below, our artist used a coloured Pastelmat paper and Stabilo Carbothello chalk-pastel pencils to create this portrait of her friend. Reference photo? A quick picture taken on her phone and printed. She chose to take out any wrinkles. What a friend!
Good material - Arches 300 lb. watercolour paper comes in three textures: cold pressed, hot pressed and rough. The painting below is being done on the rough paper. You can tell because the pigments of the paint pool in the dips of the paper. It really looks great on the stone/concrete? background. If you look below the feathers, you can see the pooling well. The Painted Tree art store in Cobourg carries Arches paper.
For a new artist, having good paper can really move the learning process along. The papers work with you. And, mixing quality paints like Winsor & Newton Professional rarely turn out "muddy".
Won't it be lovely to receive a Christmas card with this image on it?
The artist below is using Canson Mi-Teintes paper. This paper has a very textured side (which has great "tooth" - holds lots of layers of pastels) and a smoother side - for those who don't want the texture to influence the look of their painting. I like how the texture works with this image.
That is one happy looking dog! I am expecting to hear him bark soon.
And, finally.... Clairefontaine Pastelmat with both Stabilo Carbothello Chalk pastel pencils and possibly some General pencils.... the whites are amazing! This paper is approximately 9"X12" and can hold great detail for its size. Look at the hair!
The artist says that sometimes this young lady look like an angel and the next minute she looks like a devil. What do you think?
“It is good to love many things,
for therein lies the true strength,
and whosoever loves much performs much,
and can accomplish much,
and what is done in love is well done.”
Vincent Van Gogh
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