Demo - Pastel

"Flower Patch", 12x12, pastel on sanded Wallis paper.

In the first image you can see the colors blocked in to start the composition. I use Nu-Pastel brand to block in colors because they are a hard pastel and inexpensive. I then washed over the pastel with rubbing acohol so it dissolves into the paper to create a wash without the surface clogging up with color. This keeps the colors fresher for the remaining layers and speeds up the whole painting because the white of the paper is gone.

The next three images are the pastel colors applied over the underpainting. I continue to use Nu-pastel in the beginning stages. I then used other soft pastel brands such as Sennielier, Schmincke, Unison and Terry Ludwig. I tried to work dark to light, applying the colors lightly almost like a glaze, and then drawing in the flowers, softening edges as I go.