Day before Thanksgiving, I woke up with a need to paint with oil pastels. It's funny how that happens... I think about something maybe for years, and then suddenly I just have to try it. It helped that I had a 40% coupon for Dick Blick. So I went... and almost found what I wanted. They didn't have a portrait set, so I purchased a still-life set. Why not, right? Colors are colors.
And these colors are pretty...
They are thick, rich, smooshable, yummy...
I used my fingers and it almost felt like sculpting, not painting. This is my favorite detail:
Everything about these oil pastels is fine, except that colors are not colors.... this set doesn't have the colors I need for faces (or I don't know how to use them correctly). The closest thing to yellow is a light green pastel.... therefore - another green lady.
So, obviously there are many things I need to learn. This is my first try and for a first try I really love it. I'm looking forward to many more. And to January, when a new dickblick coupon arrives so that I can get the proper portrait painting set. What was the last thing you had to have?
VERY nice! I have some oil pastels stashed somewhere that I will now dig out and try. I bought some Shiva Paint Stiks after reading about how Kelly Rae Roberts uses them (in her book Taking Flight). LOVED the ones she recommended for faces so well I ordered some more. They are SO creamy...love to blend them with my finger! Sharon P.
ReplyDeleteMaybe use red, yellow and white..I use these in my oil painting work and it makes a wonderful face shade. I think she turned out beautiful, even if a bit green. The green seems to highlight her face. I also love her eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe last thing I had to have? Tea..from Teavana..a load of it. Tea for me and thee.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how many times I have held that box of oil pastels in my hand..always so tempting..and your portrait looks beautiful- colors or not.
xo
This painting is so scrummy it males me want to get my oil pastels out! I love the details you've shown here. Sometimes I feel that choosing which medium to use it like choosing what to have to eat! Or is it just me?! ;) xx
ReplyDeleteI have some cheap oil pastels that I've played with and wondered if the better ones are worth the price. You have just about convinced me to make a trip to DB's.
ReplyDeleteDarla
when you say "paint" with pastels...what do you mean...I have been looking into this myself...do you use a brush and water...turpentine? Just curious...thanks :)
ReplyDeleteYou know I just can't stand it, I come here and I see those colors blened, swirled, touching one another yet staying beautiful with their richness, and it makes me just want to do some art. Colors melding, on a surface it such a rush for me always. Then when one has a face or some other subject it is even better.
ReplyDeleteYour new framed pieces look wonderful, so pretty, you know the day I fell I was getting ready to frame a piece of art work, I was reaching up a set of 5 stairs for some brown paper and stepped wrong backwards.
So much to see here since I have been gone so much to appreciate, wonderful work. Wonderful feelings looking at it. thank you.
Yes, red, yellow and white make a really great flesh colour. But hey I think this is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteour work is always stunning Zorana!
ReplyDeleteI am exactly the same .. will think about something I want to paint or try out and then one morning when I wake up I will go out and get what I need and then try it. The oil pastels you used look so yummy and 'smudgeable' I have never seen those type of oil pastels here in South Africa and all my previous oil pastels have landed in the dustbin because they are so unforgiving.
I mentioned you in my latest post so please take some time to visit when you can.
Take care :)
Hi Zorana
ReplyDeleteI love this new work. One question, are you blending with your fingers? Just wondering what you are blending with?
k
This looks like such fun! I love how smooshy oil pastels are.
ReplyDeleteJacky xox