28 June 2016

Pastelling Outdoors (And Chillin’!) In Oak Bay

Home » Pastelling Outdoors (And Chillin’!) In Oak Bay

Yayyyyyyy, summer’s here in all its glory. That means it’s time to get pastelling outdoors!! For me, it takes some revving up to do when I’m out of the habit. While Cam was away, I made it a goal to start the ball rolling. I took myself out for breakfast (hmmmm…reward first?) then found a neighbouring park where I set up to paint the sunny view of sea and sailboats.

So let’s take a look at what happened when I went painting en plein air.

Pastelling Outdoors: 1. First the thumbnail sketch in pen and ink. The lower sketch is a further simplification into three values. — 1. First the thumbnail sketch in pen and ink. The lower sketch is a further simplification into three values.

Pastelling outdoors: 2. The set-up. You can see what I was painting AND you can see the thumbnail in place. I'm set to start! — 2. My set-up. You can see what I was painting AND you can see the thumbnail done in place. I’m ready to paint!

Pastelling Outdoors: 3. A few vine charcoal lines to place the main ingredients. I'm working on mounted white Wallis paper (yes! I still have a few sheets left!) — 3. A few vine charcoal lines to place the main ingredients. I’m working on mounted white Wallis paper (yes! I still have a few sheets left!).

Pastelling Outdoors: 4. The initial block-in with three values. I've also begun brushing the pastel with paper towel to smooth out and get rid of white! — 4. The initial block-in with three values. I’ve also begun brushing the pastel with paper towel to get rid of the white!

Pastelling Outdoors: 5. Second layers being applied. Reminding myself to keep the bright foreground in the middle value. — 5. Second layers being applied. Reminding myself to keep the bright foreground in the middle value.

Pastelling Outdoors: 5b. Second layers in black and white. Successfully keeping with the plan. — 5b. Second layers as seen in black and white. Successfully keeping with the plan.

Pastelling Outdoors: 6. Adding the details! — 6. Adding the details!

Pastelling Outdoors: 7. Fine tuning. Feeling pooped so decided it was done for now. — 7. Fine tuning. Feeling pooped so decided it was done for now. (Sorry the photo is a bit skewy.)

Pastelling Outdoors: 7b Fine tuning. In black and white to show you values - light, mid, dark — 7b Fine tuning. In black and white to show you the three values – light, mid, dark

Pastelling Outdoors: 8 The Sennelier pastels I used. — 8 The Sennelier pastels I used.

It was a coooool day – 11 degrees centigrade! I was in my hoodie, leather jacket, scarf, cap. Just no gloves (and I sure could have used those fingerless ones!)

Pastelling Outdoors: 9. You can see by the way I am bundled up how cool it was!! — 9. You can see by the way I am bundled up how cool it was!!

Okay, back in the studio, a few days later, I took a long hard look at the piece. Click below to hear my thoughts about what I needed to tweak (I didn’t know the recording would show with my photo! And I can’t decrease the size.):

Can you see all the small changes I made? Let me know!!

Pastelling Outdoors: 10b "Summer's Here" in black and white - checking the values... — 10b “Summer’s Here” in black and white – checking the values…

Pastelling Outdoors Course

There’s just nothing like painting on location. It’s warming up (at least in the northern hemisphere!) and perhaps you are thinking it’s time to try painting on location. Why not check out my ‘Pastel Painting En Plein Air’ course? Click here to learn more.

Here’s what one student had to say:

“I have watched all of your videos and love them. By watching your fantastic videos I hope to be able to loosen up with my strokes and be more creative with my use of color. Both are very hard for me, but your videos are helping a lot. I am looking forward to looking at them on a regular basis so I can pick up every single pointer you give. I am sure that you realize you are rare among art workshop instructors. All of them can explain what they do when they are not doing it! Very few can explain what they are doing when they are doing it!!! Thank you so much for your help!” ~Connie Burkhardt

Already know you want it? Then what are you waiting for?

Next time, I’ll have my monthly round-up. In the meantime, let me know what you think of this post. What did you think of the audio? Was that useful? Interesting? I looooooooove hearing from you 🙂

Until next time

~ Gail

PS. I’m delighted to tell you I’ve finished filming all the videos for my Beginner in Pastels online course. I’m now in the editing stages…..

Grief And Art – Using Art-Making To Deal With My Sadness And Anger

Creating Art Is Hard Work!!

Using black paper: Gail Sibley, "We Three," Unison Colour pastels on UART black 400, 12 x 9 in - detail of shoes

Using Black Paper For Pastel Painting

Backyard plein air painting: Gail Sibley, "Backyard Hollyhock," mostly Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in.

Backyard Plein Air Painting – Hollyhocks

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4 thoughts on “Pastelling Outdoors (And Chillin’!) In Oak Bay”

David
Wednesday, 29 June 2016 at 10:13 am

Hi Gail. Thanks for this. And your idea of cleaning pastels with TP works for me. It slows me down and provides the opportunity to review my palette – what are dupes – what’s missing – what do i have too much of. it’s a pretty good idea.

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Wednesday, 29 June 2016 at 2:02 pm
  
  Thanks David.
  Glad you find my TP idea so helpful 🙂
  
  Reply
Casey Klahn
Friday, 1 July 2016 at 1:28 pm

Refreshing and keeps the sense of freshness! Inspiring, Gail!

Reply
1. Gail Sibley
  Friday, 1 July 2016 at 4:24 pm
  
  Thanks Casey!! Words of praise from you are appreciated indeed!!
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!