I'm using various pastels and pastel pencils on PastelMat from Clairefontaine for this portrait Although I've worked on the PastelMat in the past and was beginning to like it, it has a little quirk that just popped up with this painting that I really don't like. It dents very easily and the dents are hard to cover. I used my Jack Richeson semi-hard pastel square sticks/and pastel pencils for sketching the two dogs and I had to bear down quite a bit in order for the color to show. This dented the surface of the paper and it's been very difficult to cover. Also, using the pastel pencils in the eye area for instance has also left "furrows" in the base of soft pastel and on into the paper. The only way I've been able to cover them is to use the very hard white pastel stick that I received in the Derwent samples not too long ago.
I guess it could just be this particular piece or maybe even color of PastelMat as I hadn't noticed this happening the other times I've used it.
Anyway, it's going pretty well and I got so involved in working on it that I forgot to stop and take any photos of the progression. It's still not finished as you can see so I'll try to be a little better about photos as I go.
And, no, Christine, I don't have the eyes completely finished yet but I did add a little highlight in Max's eye just for you! lol
5 comments:
Wonderful Jan!
Have you tried lightly steaming the paper then rubbing with a linen cloth? Or just rubbing the paper with a damp cloth? Works on velour but I've not had to put it to the test with pastelmat as I haven't encountered this problem.
Steaming will 'fix' the pastel but will probably dull the whites which will need re-touching.
No, I haven't tried steaming it but I will. I've never had this problem before with either velour or the PastelMat so wasn't sure what was going on.
Does this happen regularly to you with either paper?
Never with Pastelmat, but the steaming and/or damp cloth was a tip I was given at the Vic Bearcroft workshop (pastels on velour)
These two are to cute for words. You're doing so good with these portraits, Jan. No wonder you get all these commissions.
I see the catch lights....hehe
Wonder if it was just this sheet then - I did try steaming but it didn't help much if any.
Christine, these two babies are just too cute for words in person. It's easier when you can see them in real life, isn't it?
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