Pastel portrait

 

Finally, finally, I’m beginning to get back to some pastelling in my studio. There’s always the question – what shall I paint today? So many choices. Then I remembered a photo I’d taken of Cam some time back when he was sick in bed. I loved the way his head sat atop the big red wool scarf wrapped around his neck. Yes, this would make a good pastel portrait.

 

The pastel’s not quite finished but thought I’d show you the progression anyway. This pastel was very different for me because I’ve never painted an actual design as an underpainting before.

 

I’d run out of the Belgian Mist (toned) Wallis paper. All I had left was pristine white which definitely called for some underpainting. Rather than my usual slapping on of paint (frequently gorgeous reds) on which I then draw the image, this time I was going to draw the image first, then apply paint to show the bare bones of that image – to set the tone so to speak.  I had questions – how much paint should I use? what colours should I use? how heavily should I put it on? In the end, I just jumped in. And here’s what happened.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It felt great to jump in and work on a pastel portrait. Although my intent wasn’t on getting a good likeness, when Cam saw it he said, “It’s me!!”

 

 

Andrea in clay

 

In a previous blog, I talked about the work of Kathy Venter and how she was preparing for a show at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto. The work has been crated up and I am guessing is now on its way to the museum from Salt Spring Island. Andrea LeBorgne, model for one of the pieces, recently wrote a blog about the last part of the whole process. Here’s the link. (If you haven’t read Andrea’s blog before, I encourage you to read all about her whole experience modeling for Kathy.)

Here’s Andrea’s invitation to Kathy’s show. I do hope if you are anywhere near Toronto for the opening or during the span of the show that you GO! It will be spectacular I am sure.

 

 

 

 

We’ve had some absolutely gorgeous weather over the past few days and the flowers are bustin’ out all over! It’s just like summer. Long may it last.

 

 

Wishing you warm spring days wherever you are,

 

~ Gail

 

 

 

PS. Finally finished dropped off tax info at the accountant yesterday. What a relief, a lightening of the burden that was. From my last blog you know how I was mired in it.