Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Still in the Corner


I am still in the right top corner of my grisaille trying to apply the color. This has been a very difficult process that has required a tremendous amount of patience from me but I trust that with Michael Newberry's guidance I will eventually achieve something that I will be satisfied with. My problem has been, that I am working in this area that is supposed to be the darkest area of my piece but I have the two colors of my shawl and their folds have a quiet soft highlight but it cannot be contrasting or light but should have plenty of color. I had to rub out my first two tries and now I am trying to work out my third. During my last session with Michael I think it came clear to me what my problem has been so I hope that will soon be solved and since Michael has asked me to only work in areas of the size of a post card until I get it perfect, I don't have much to show, so I will post my last pastel study. I hope to be posting more often from now on.

6 comments:

Jeanette Jobson said...

Mary, I know you have the skills and patience to achieve what you want in pastels. Learning a new technique or medium does take time and I think you've made the connection in your mind and hand that will make it happen.

Mary said...

Thank you for your comment Jeanette! It seems quite easier now but I know I should practice more at it.:)

Making A Mark said...

Hi Mary. It's really interesting seeing people learn a new technique.

Are you using a sample of the same paper to try mixes out on first? I've watched a number of pastel artists who take things more slowly use that as an aid to getting things right first time.

I'm afraid I'm a 'get stuck in and see how it turns out' sort of person. And if it doesn't then I just start again. I like to go fairly fast so I can bring the instinctive bit out to play - it seems to know how to do things rather better than my conscious mind at times!

Mary said...

Thank you for your visit Katherine. Actually it wasn't the pastel that I have been having trouble with, it is my oil grisaille but I am fortunately out of the corner now and working slowly to be able to post a progress on it.

Robyn Sinclair said...

You have a way with peaches, Mary! Beautiful. I long for them to be back in season.
You are very patient with your oil painting. It encourages me though, because I paint with an oil group who are so quick and I am so slow. It's good to know that slow is encouraged too :)

Mary said...

Thank you Robyn! Yes I think slow is good in this case to achieve a realistic painting. Doing the pastels on the side is good so that I don't get impatient with the painting.:)