Art Demos & Techniques

Pastel Pointers | The Art of Edges in Our Paintings

pastel pointers about edge variety

Any creative who’s trying to depict reality—whether an author, sculptor or painter—must try to master the art of illusion. One of the most useful tools an artist can use to produce this magic is the manipulation of edges. The dictionary definition of “edge” is the line where an object or area begins or ends: a border. In the framework of a painting, the governing factors in determining how an edge should be handled are: the character of the object or area, the degree of value and color contrast that make up its surroundings, its overall importance and its placement within the composition. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Landscapes, Landscapes / Seascapes / Cityscapes, Medium, Pastel, Richard McKinley's Pastel Pointers Blog, Subject, The Pastel Journal | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Creativity Workshop: Gesso You Know

MyrnaW

In Bleeding Hearts (above; watercolor and gesso on paper, 30×30), Myrna Wacknov painted each part of the quilt pattern with a pastel color, then collaged her tissue paper over the sections. If you’re not producing failed paintings, you’re not growing. … Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, From the Magazine, Inspiration and Creativity, Medium, Watercolor, Watercolor Artist | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Your Pastel Questions Answered | Maggie Price

colorful pastel sticks | pastels

Pastel artist Maggie Price shares expert tips and techniques for working with pastels in this Pastel Journal column. Featured topics include photographing pastel through glass, fixing moldy pastels, dry mounting, painting en plein air with pastels, inspiration and creativity, and more. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Ask the Experts, Pastel, The Pastel Journal, Tips and Tools | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Paint Skies in Pastel | New Video

pastel landscape by liz haywood sullivan

Sometimes the sky plays a supporting role in a landscape; other times, it is the star of the show. Either way, knowing how to capture the impact of a dramatic sky is key for anyone interested in painting the landscape. Last fall, Liz Haywood-Sullivan, an artist well known for her luminous pastel landscapes, visited our Cincinnati office to shoot some videos for ArtistsNetworkTV that address key components of the landscape. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Landscapes, Landscapes / Seascapes / Cityscapes, Medium, Pastel, Subject, The Pastel Journal Blog, Videos | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pastel Pointers | Loosening Up

pastel pointers losseing up

A frequent question I hear at workshops is, “How can I loosen up as a painter?” After devoting years to learning craft, many painters often find themselves trapped in utilitarian methods that may render a competent painting but lack the elusive poetic quality of more painterly works. Just as a poet plays with syntax to express his thoughts (think e.e. cummings), so too must the painter. We start with a basic study or drawing, value relationship, color harmony, and media mastery. These are our syntactical starting points. How we orchestrate them ultimately becomes the poetic statement. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Medium, Pastel, Richard McKinley's Pastel Pointers Blog, The Pastel Journal | Tagged | 1 Comment

Pastels: Making Clouds Move in a Painting

Pastels: Making Clouds Move in a Painting, warm colors

“Painting clouds is my favorite thing to do,” says Janenne Behl. Working within a narrow value range in pastel, Behl depicts the lush landscapes of the Pacific Coast. Here, she gives a step-by-step demonstration on painting clouds in this pastel landscape. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Landscapes, Medium, Pastel, Subject, The Artist’s Magazine | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Basic Pastel Techniques Part Two | Hatching, Cross-Hatching, Feathering

pastel pointers blending part 2

In last week’s blog post, I started the discussion of basic pastel techniques, covering blending, scumbling and glazing. These are techniques often associated with wet painting, which can be easily adapted to pastel. This week I will discuss hatching, cross-hatching and feathering. These techniques rely more on mark-making and are closely associated with drawing. Whether you consider your pastel approach to be more painter or draftsman, being practiced in all the various techniques will ultimately make you a better artist. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Medium, Pastel, Richard McKinley's Pastel Pointers Blog, The Pastel Journal | Tagged | Leave a comment

The Artist’s Magazine April 2012 Online Table of Contents

tam0412_160

The other side of Tom Root’s imagination; Marvin Mattelson’s commissioned portraits; acrylic artist Patti Brady’s studio; free lesson in intuitive abstraction and more. Full Article

Posted in Abstract, Acrylic, Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Artist Interviews & Profiles, Drawing, Featured Artist Galleries, Inspiration and Creativity, Medium, Mixed Media Medium, Oil, Other Subject, Pastel, Portrait / Figure, Still Life, Subject, The Artist’s Magazine, Watercolor | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Basic Pastel Techniques Part One | Blending, Scumbling, Glazing

basic pastel techniques | Pastel Pointers

Discussing the obscure technique of “dusting” in last week’s blog post got me thinking about some of the other techniques of pastel application frequently used by artists. Due to the nature of pastel as a dry medium applied in a stick form, pastelists have had to learn to marry traditional drawing and wet painting techniques such as blending, scumbling, glazing, hatching, cross-hatching, feathering to facilitate their needs. Most of these techniques fall under the category of “layering” in which one pastel is applied over, or into, another. Workable fixative, wetting techniques, surface tooth, and the relative hardness/softness of the pastel stick also play a part in the outcome. It serves anyone that is serious about painting with pastel to be well versed in these basic techniques. Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Medium, Pastel, Richard McKinley's Pastel Pointers Blog, The Pastel Journal, Tips and Tools | Tagged | Leave a comment

Pastel Pointers | The Technique of Dusting

pastel dusting technique

Pastel is one of the most diverse painting media that artists can use today. Since prehistoric man first gathered pigment from the earth and formed it into a stick for cave drawing, aspiring artists have found innovative ways for applying it to a variety of surfaces. One of those methods is a technique often referred to as “dusting.” Full Article

Posted in Art Demos & Techniques, Articles, Blogs, Medium, Pastel, Richard McKinley's Pastel Pointers Blog, The Pastel Journal | Leave a comment