So you know how in my last blog I talked about the way James MacNeill Whistler left much of the paper bare when creating his pastels (see for instance, The Beadstringers) and that it was actually a difficult thing to do? Well this morning I took up the challenge…….and found that I was right!
I pulled out a piece of Canson Mi-Teintes paper. This is paper I don’t usually use as it doesn’t have much tooth to hold layers of pastel (my regular way of working) but since I was going to experiment with the Whistler way, I thought it would work just fine. I decided to use Holbein pastels as they are rather hard and I felt they would suit the paper better as they don’t ‘unload’ as much pastel onto the paper as other softer brands. Again, this is a make I don’t often use. I chose the set of 24 selected by my friend and artist Stephanie Birdsall for the Holbein company.
I worked from a photo of a place I often pass when driving to the ferry in Fulford Harbour, Salt Spring Island. Usually it’s an empty landscape but every once in awhile, the field in front of the ruined stone structure is filled with sheep and sometimes they make their way into the structure itself. This was a grey day but I was happy to capture the sheep invasion! I always think of the place romantically as a sort of ruined folly but Cam seems to believe that it is the remains of a burnt down barn. Anyway, I’ve always wanted to portray it on paper so finally I had the opportunity to try it the Whistler way.
Here’s the initial drawing. It shows the colour of the paper I used.
And here’s the completed piece:
You can kind of see the original paper showing through in places. I found it a real test to leave the paper alone. I kept wanting to add more pastel. Also, I have focused on everything. Whistler would have been much more selective! Here’s a close-up where you can see the paper more clearly:
I want to say something about the texture. Canson Mi-teintes paper has two surfaces – one side is this honeycombed texture, the other is smooth. When I do use this paper, I tend to use the smooth side. But before I started today, I forgot to check which side was up – duh! Maybe it’s just as well as more paper inevitably shows through on the more textured side.
As a comparison, I did a little colour trial on the smooth side for you to see. Check out the difference:
You can see that there is a freedom from the rather rigid texture of the side I used for the pastel piece.
Here’s the lovely set of pastels. The ones on the edge are the colours I used.
That’s all for today. I am off to Salt Spring tomorrow for a couple of days but when I return, I’ll try another pastel using Whistler’s way of focusing on what’s most important by his judicious use of pastel. I’ll use the smooth side next time.
I love hearing from you. If you’d like to leave a comment (and you know how I hope you will!), click the ‘Add a Comment’ button and fill in your name, email, captcha (those letter and number combos) then comment and click the submit button and hopefully it all works.
Until next time,
~ Gail
8 thoughts on “My Whistler inspired pastel”
I just love your blogs and I’m sharing with my friend who are really enjoying them too. What an inspiration you are. I really appreciate the work you do in finding the interesting information on the artists and sharing you perspective on their work. It is also wonderful too to watch how you work and the results are beautiful. I look forward to your next instalments.
Patricia
Patricia thank you so much for your enthusiastic compliments. I tell you, they make all the effort worthwhile!!!
Very impressive and completed in a morning .I do enjoy your Blog and seem to be learning something as we go along . for some odd reason there is more in a picture than before if that makes any sense. It has taught me a lot and I seem to get so much more out of what Im looking at. Congratulations
Sandy, I think what you say makes complete sense!! Thanks for your lovely words.
Hi Gail,
I am loving your blogs… every one is so interesting and colorful… and watching the pastels evolve is magic. Keep me in the loop. Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Gwen
Thanks so much Gwen. Great to hear from you 🙂
I found your blog on Whistler so interesting, such a great artist and so versatile. I had never seen his pastels done on site no doubt. Your lovely “Sheep’s Folly” was similar in style and certainly colour to Whistler just missing his loose line work.
You are coming up with such interesting Artists their work and your thoughts on their life and work. Exciting to anticipate what’s coming up next!
Glad you enjoyed the Whistler pastel discovery. And yes, apparently they were done on site. As you say, such loose line work – something to emulate for sure. How lovely to think of you anticipating what’s coming next. I’ll let you know as soon as I figure it out!