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| Cellist Pastel 20.5 x 13 |
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is a good idea, I think. There are so many things to think about when painting and drawing...too many things. By focusing on one or two elements, I believe that we can feel success more readily, as well as expand our visual repertoires of problem-solving. Pushing the envelope, so to speak. For our last group model session before the summer break, I chose to come armed with a minimum of supplies....a pastel stick in inky blue, a wide flat watercolor brush, a water container, and a slice of watercolor paper. I worked back and forth between drawing with the pastel stick and softening with water....a way of destroying, of dissolving a bit of the less-important. I had a wonderful time. The largest hurdle, I found, was the complete intensity of pastel as a medium. It is the purest medium and, as a result, darks were achieved much more quickly than I am used to in either watercolor or oil. Savoring the whites was more difficult. I guess I am used to a slower build-up. But the whole purpose of the challenge is to keep myself fresh by switching up some of the variables.
I was satisfied with the result and the experience took me out of my comfort zone. What could be better....inky blue + musician? Nothing.
