For you

It's been a while since my last entry. I got sidetracked with other stuff like trying to finish a book and some computer related nonsense. I'm going to get back to painting again - I have at least 3 paintings I want to do - but before that I tried to dabble in some soft pastel goodness.

Done on black paper. Not my best use of pastel TBH, but I have only ever used them properly maybe 3 times, this one included. I learned a whole load of stuff doing this:

• Don't do a detailed piece in A4. It's too small and detail will be non-existant
• Don't use black paper if you want the picture to be vibrant
• Use paper with more tooth, the pastel will stick to the paper better
• Fixative is good at removing contrast
• Photoshop is good at getting it back :D

Again, it's all learning from past experiences, good and bad. And drawing this brought back a few good memories.

On to the next one...

Update (2011-03-08): I really want to draw this again. It was only after a few more pastel pictures that I realised a piece of blackboard chalk had somehow made it's way into my box of pastels. The chalk was too hard and didn't blend or stick to the paper properly. I now have proper white pastels, some nice A3-sized pastel paper and more practice with soft mediums, so most of the problems I initially had should be gone with a redo.