Tag Archives: soft pastels

Three Studies of Underpainting Color Choices

Posted on August 13, 2014 by Mary

There are a number of underpainting techniques that I enjoy using with my oil pastel paintings:  watercolor or soft pastel washes (washed with either water or alcohol), and gouache – acrylic – oil thinned paint.  Each offer a different result … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs New Paintings, OPs Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 36 Comments

Does Your Art Speak to You?

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Mary

I recently read an article in “Pastel Journal” about artist, Bobbie McKibbin and her process for painting landscapes using soft pastels.  One statement in the article really resonated with me, Bobbie said, “she’s doing all the talking at the beginning … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs Bits and Pieces, Posts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Painting Sunlight & Shadow with Pastels, a book review

Posted on November 12, 2012 by Mary

For a long time I struggled with creating believable shadows and light using oil pastels (OPs), few credible resources exist for Op artists.  I wanted a source  with easy to understand explanations and demonstrations for painting sunlight and shadows.  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Seascape, Apollo Bay

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Mary

I love painting the sea.  The only thing constant about seascapes is that it’s always changing from time of day, to the time of season, from gorgeous colors, to the speed of water coming on shore, the height and power … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs New Paintings | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Mist on the Moors

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Mary

For a long time I’ve been attracted to unique atmospheres that photographers and painters capture when they work with marshes, wetlands and moors.  These special places are mysterious, sometimes quiet, can be dark, at times brimming with nature’s life, and … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs New Paintings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

Underpainting with Soft Pastel and an Alcohol Wash

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Mary

Oil pastels (OPs) are my main painting medium, but there are times when I want to block in shapes and colors as a foundation to the painting before I start layering in OPs.  So I will do what’s called a … Continue reading →

Posted in About Oil Pastels, OPs Techniques | Tagged , , , , , , | 49 Comments