Today I felt like doing a charcoal drawing of a quaint building with Wisteria that I’ve had my eye on for a while. Only today it was drawn with a twist – standing back looking at this B&W building I got the itch to add a bit of color to the drawing so dabs of color were added to the Wisteria using soft pastel.
Wisteria in St. Saveur, a charcoal drawing (12×9) was done on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper, and the Wisteria had swipes of Prismacolor NuPastel soft pastel added for color. A few areas in the final drawing were cleaned up. Perhaps one day I’ll paint this scene again with oil pastels, I think the medium would compliment the scene. Please click onto the images for a larger view.
The reference image was taken in France by Bix, an artist and photographer at pmp – who has an interesting background. Please read on.
Bix and her partner, Drew own and operate Bandouille, a Monestary at one time dating back to the 17th century. The magnificent structure and outbuildings are located on 24 acres and from what I’ve seen the whole place would be a painters dream spot w/unlimited spots of inspiration. So guess what? Bix being a great artist herself realized that Bandouille would make for an awesome place for artists to come and paint ~ which is exactly what they did with the place by offering, Painting Holidays at the Monestary. The link will take you to their website for more information on the place, its history and painting excursions offered.
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Oil Pastels by Mary 
Beautifu, Mary! 🙂 I love this so much.
Thank you so much Patsy!!
Love the addition of color. Wonderful drawing. I’d love to visit the monastery!
Hi Janell, so nice to see you! Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed the drawing – isn’t the monastery something else?
This is a lovely charcoal drawing. I love the touches of colour. What type of charcoal pencils do you use? Mine are kind of hard and I wouldn’t mind a softer pencil.
Hi Joanna, thank you so much. I use several different brands of charcoal, all depends on the look that I’m after. Derwent charcoal pencils (for close-up work, because they are hard and unforgiving), General’s compressed (are hard and unforgiving, so only in places that I want a permanent mark), General’s willow (soft, various sizes – dark and is my go to for a lot of drawings – forgiving), Nitram charcoal (soft, not as dark as General, but nice and smooth – forgiving). I have two other brands that I haven’t tried yet. Some artists use charcoal powder, I haven’t tried this yet – the dust is an issue for me.
Hope that this helps – I’m always in trouble when I don’t pay attention and pickup either the compressed or pencils, no amount of erasing will help. I use them, but with purpose because they are so hard and unforgiving.
What brands have you been using?
steady hand… love the colour addition
Thank you and happy you enjoyed the piece Heath!
I love the image with a touch of pink!
Thank you so much Elizabeth!
Wow, that hint of color is just perfect, Mary. 🙂 I also think it would make a gorgeous painting in oil pastels.
Thanks Elizabeth – great idea, I might give it a try in OPs later this Spring. Thanks again ~
ohhhhhhh gorgeous
Thank you Laurel!
Ever so charming, Mary! I want to BE there:) Love this!
Very cool Elena! Thank you, I should take some time to learn to draw old European stone buildings – pair them with flowers like this and there is something romantic about the scene. Glad you enjoyed this one, thanks again ~
I love that corner. And the contrast with the pink flowers? I’m guessing Bougainvilleas. Just lovely!
Hi Francesca, thanks very much – I’m glad you enjoyed the drawing.
Love love love! Happy weekend, Mary 😀
Thank you so much Angie – really appreciate it! Have a great weekend!
My privilege, Mary! You bring beauty to my life and I appreciate that 😀
Thank you Angie, what a beautiful thing to write!
Stunning! ❤️love the choose of colors ❤️really beautiful dear Mary❤️
Thank you Violet – the pinks and magenta worked beautifully in this one. I actually have another idea that would have put texture into the Wisteria, but that will have to be for another time. Have a lovely weekend.
Looking forward to see your new idea as well!❤️
That bit of ‘wistful’ colour is so nice, Mary. I’ve seen the equivalent done with photos but I’m not clever enough. I would love a painting retreat! I’ve always told myself I’d like a shot at painting but I’m so clueless, it’ll not happen 🙂
Loved your comment Jo – thank you! Okay maybe not painting, but Banndouille would be an awesome place to visit for photographs the next time you are in France.
I believe you might just started a new trend Mary! A fabulous idea I must say, adding a bit a color to a B&W piece makes it unique, exquisite and for some reason very Parisian! Elegantly chic and I love it a lot, you must consider this combination for some other projects as well. Love that you always listen to your inner voice or muse, the result of it is truly outstanding! Beautiful!
Ah Eva, you really know how to make my night with your incredible description – love, love, love it. Thank you. Now that I could mentally wrap my head around how best to accomplish it (I’d do a little fixative next time), I might just try it again. So nice that this piece has been well received – okay will do another one soon. Funny thing about that inner voice, it’s always talking! Have a great evening.
Thank you Mary, just keep listening to your inner voice and we will all enjoy the beautiful results of developing a new trend, Mary’s own! Enjoy your weekend!
Thank you Eva, enjoy your weekend too!
Absolutely gorgeous! Just love the touch of color!
Thanks Resa!!
Gorgeous wisteria!
Thank you Fiona!!
This is the perfect way to keep black and white and add colors, sounds weird, but it works, as you showed.
Hi Cecliia! Perfect way to describe it and I totally understand – some of the charcoal was left underneath to give a bit of depth to the wisteria vines. At one point I was going to take some of the charcoal out, but left it as was and just started to swipe with the soft pastel. Thanks again and enjoyed hearing from you!
This is a real winner Mary! I love it. The combination of black and white and color, the impressionistic dreamy view, and even the way the curtains drape the windows – all perfectly charming. 🙂
You are so generous Dorann, thank you very much! Love your thoughts and description, means a lot – hoped the scene warmed your cold, winter day.
Fantastic!
Thank you Patrick – much appreciated!
Such a gorgeous plant! Beautiful drawing, my dear Mary!!!!! 🙂 xx
Hi Marina, thank you so much. If we could grow wisteria in TX (need to survive the intense heat) I’d plant one tomorrow – do you have them in Greece? Loved your feedback! Have a beautiful evening.
Yes, we do. I even have one in my balcony. It’s survived harsh colds and extreme heat, so far. You too, my dear Mary! 🙂
Very interesting Marina – we have a vine called Lady Banksia that flowers brilliantly in the Spring and something has gotten to it and it’s now dieing. Wisteria might work, I’m going to ask around to see if it’s an option for me here. Have a beautiful weekend!
You too, my dear Mary! 🙂
Like it a lot, Mary ! – especially with the wisteria color added. 🙂
Thanks M.R. – means a lot! Glad you enjoyed the “colorful” drawing.
What a lovely twist! And how wonderful it would be to go on a painting holiday at the Monastery.
Thank you Gallivanta! Don’t you know it – a painting holiday was exactly what I was thinking. Banndouille looks like a fantastic place to visit.
Is it possible for you to go?
I like both pieces. But I really like the one with the wisteria in color. I’ve always wanted to do that with photos. Both are excellent. I definitely think you should try the oil pastels. You are so accomplished with them. I can almost see it.
Hi Kerry! Thank you and never know I might just surprise you one day when an oil pastel pops up of this scene – stay tuned. Thanks again, I really appreciate your compliment.
Light touch of color is an excellent addition.
Thanks Frank – appreciate it, so glad you liked the change.
Oh, I really love this with the hint of colour in there. That really makes this special. I also very much admire the graceful arches that compliment one another so well…..the wisteria, the drapes below the wisteria, the gate to the left of the house, and the chains hanging from the exterior light. All those contribute to the elegant feeling of this piece, but the masterful dabs of colour complete that into something very special indeed!
Hi A! Thank you for your feedback and beautiful thoughts on the drawing. Wouldn’t you just love to see the building w/her wonderful wisteria in person ~ now, that would be awesome (who wouldn’t love a trip to Paris)! Thanks again.
Oh Mary! I love this! The difference between the two images is amazing. The pop of color makes it look so luxurious and rich. It’s my favorite too. 👍
Thank you Rhonda – after I let it sit awhile, I kept seeing color and finally went ahead added it in. I’m so glad you enjoyed this piece. it looks better in person – been so dark around here with our rains (not complaining in the least) that it was tough getting a decent photograph. Thanks again ~ I enjoyed your description a lot.
This is really gorgeous, Mary, It looks like a photograph, only better. 🙂
Thank you so much Sylvia, such a compliment and very much appreciated!
Love, love, LOVE this one, especially with the hints of colour. I think this is my new favourite.
Thank you, love your enthusiasm for the spot of colour. Thanks so much ~
Love the B&W and color drawing! Truly Beautifuly!
Thank you Amy, glad you enjoyed this one ~
I have all ways loved the black/white and color combination. Very nice, Mary!
Thanks Cynthia – you know the color wasn’t my intention, but the more I saw the piece w/o it adding some pinks/magenta seemed like the right thing to do. Can you imagine seeing a beautiful place like this? Now that’s a place to dream about ~
Beautiful Mary!!!
Paris
Thank you so much Paris!