Black Cat Portrait in Pastel

Here's a quick one I painted as a gift for my daughter.  This is her baby, Snickers.

"Snickers"

4.5" x 4.5"

Soft Pastel on La Carte

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Sushi Chef - Painting on Pastelmat with WIP pics

Here is my second painting on Pastelmat.  It's still trial and error for me at this point, but I'm getting used to the paper, and I like it very much.

Sushi Chef

19.5" x 15.5"

Soft Pastel on Pastelmat

People keep asking me for WIPs, so I tried to remember to take some pictures along the way so I could show you my process.


First, I started out with a grid.  I laugh at myself when I try to grid, because I can never get the grid even, or to accurately match the reference photo grid.  And even if I had everything accurate, I don't have the patience to copy the boxes exactly.  So for me, a grid is more of a tool I use for the initial placement of the image, and then I draw the picture from the computer monitor.  I also correct and redraw as necessary when I'm painting.


For the grid, I took a few drawing pencils and made small marks on the paper.  Then I erased the marks with a kneaded eraser.  I used the pencil that erased the best.  I drew the painting with a pastel pencil, and lost parts of my drawing when the pastel pencil rubbed off, so next time I'm just going to use the drawing pencil. 


A note about pastel removal:  A kneaded eraser pulls up pastel very nicely on this paper, particularly if you're not trying to pull up a lot.  I found Q-tips effective when I wanted to remove a lot of pastel (meaning many layers).  A soft paintbrush is also effective.  I actually tried the vacuum, and was surprised at how ineffective it was (and my vacuum has a lot of suction!).


Here is my initial drawing:

I started painting the hat and face first.

Then the hair and shirt.

Then I finished the shirt and started the background.

Next I have a gap in the photos (sorry).  When I got to the hands, I realized you might like to see how I paint skin (I used the same method for the face, just didn't get pics of it), and thought to get a photo.  First, I redrew the hands with a pastel pencil (the drawing had faded by the time I was ready to paint the hands).  Next, I painted the local color of the skin, using probably six different pastel colors. 

Next, I blended that, then applied more pastel in the same manner, then blended again.  After that, I touched up with pastels and pastel pencils to define the hands a bit better (sorry, I got so into my painting I forgot to take pics!).

  

After that, I made corrections, removed things that weren't necessary, etc.  Here's the finished painting once again.

I am really getting to like the Pastelmat.  I like the fact that it is so soft, but I can get a nice sharp line on it.  It takes a lot of pastel, though not nearly as much as suede matboard.  This paper will probably replace La Carte for me.  I get similar results, but a bit better coverage, and blending is much easier on the fingertips.  As far as dust goes, I'd say I get less dust than La Carte, but much more than suede matboard.  I would use this paper for anything I would normally use La Carte for, and probably suede matboard and velour paper as well, with the exception of animals.  Once I get used to the paper, I may try fur again and reevaluate.


I hope this was interesting for you, despite the gaps in my photos!

My Painting in The Pastel Journal Magazine

My Painting “Sunny Spot” won an honorable mention in the Pastel 100.  A picture of the painting is in the April 2010 edition of The Pastel Journal magazine.

The Pastel 100 is an annual competition where jurors pick the top 100 paintings.  The paintings are chosen from five categories: landscape/interior, still life/floral, abstract/non-objective, portrait/figure, and animal/wildlife.  There are thousands of entries every year, and I couldn’t be happier that my painting was chosen as one of the top 100.

Painting on Pastelmat

This is my first attempt painting on a new paper called Pastelmat.  Since I often paint animals, I thought I’d first test how suitable the paper is for fur.  I used my dog as the subject.  My usual method of painting fur didn’t work on this paper, so unless I figure out a way to get the results I want, I won’t be using this paper for animals in the future.  I can see great possibilities with other subjects, though.

"Old Friend"
12” x 19.5”

Soft Pastel on Pastelmat

Pastelmat is an amazing surface.  It is so smooth, you wouldn’t expect it to grab onto the pastel, but that’s exactly what it does.  I’m looking forward to experimenting with different subjects and discovering what I can do with it.

Sun Kissed

I hate to waste good paper, so I painted this little picture of my daughter enjoying the sunlight to use up a small scrap piece of La Carte.  As you can see, I didn't do a whole lot of blending on this one.  Just quick and fun.

Sun Kissed

3.5" x 4.25"

Soft Pastel on La Carte

M&M Addiction

I can't help it, I'm addicted.  These are so fun to paint, I just had to try them larger.  But this will be the last one.  Probably.  Maybe.  Well, for right now, anyway.

9.5" x 12.5"

Soft Pastel on La Carte

Sunshine Award

I was recently given the Sunshine Award by three wonderful artists:  Gwen Bell, Pat Burns, and Faith Te.

The rules for this award are:

1.  Put the logo on your blog or within your post
2.  Pass the award on to 12 bloggers
3.  Link the nominees within your post
4.  Let the nominees know they have received this award
5.  Link to the person from whom you received this award


I'm passing the award off to these artists, whose work I admire:

Amanda Carder - I always enjoy her blog updates, her work is fabulous!

Aimee Dingman - An acrylic artist (love those Tootsie Pops!)

Todd Ford - I love looking at his unique still life paintings.  Amazing talent!

Edward Gordon - An extremely prolific artist.  I look forward to reading his blog every day.  I like everything he does, but I particularly enjoy his figurative work.

Marti Green - So talented with watercolor, and now venturing into acrylic.

Vicky Knowles - Vicky's work is just plain fun.

Pat Meras - Soft pastel paintings that will knock your socks off!

Sophie Ploeg - Portrait and figurative work in oil.  Check out my personal favorite "Checks and Sand."  Love it!

Pierre Raby - I just love everything he does.  I could look at his work for hours.  He has two blogs, so make sure to visit both.

Alvin Richard - I love still life paintings that look uncontrived, and Alvin is a master at it.

Colette Thierault - Excellent animal artist.

This last blog is all about soft pastel artists, a review of their web sites.  I enjoy scrolling through it and looking at all the great pastel art.  Check out Artists in Pastel.

Special thanks to Gwen, Pat, and Faith for thinking of me!

Tribute to Karin Jurick

Karin Jurick

10" x 8"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

Along with 117 other artists, I painted Karin Jurick’s portrait as a “thank you” for all her efforts with the Different Strokes From Different Folks blog.  The DSFDF blog has been an inspiration to many artists, and I’ve enjoyed the benefits of participating in the challenges.  In addition to stretching my skills by painting things I might not normally choose to paint, I’ve met many great people through the blog.  I have appreciated the time and effort Karin devotes to the blog, and I’m happy to be able to participate in this tribute to her.

M&Ms II

M&Ms are just as addictive to paint as they are to eat. It's just too fun. I had to do it again.

5" x 5"

Soft Pastel on La Carte

M&Ms

I was in the mood for something fun and colorful, so I bought some M&Ms to paint a still life. I debated painting the candy dish in various crops, but finally decided it would be more fun to do a really close crop of just the candy.

When you aren’t used to eating a lot of sugar, M&Ms are unbelievably sweet! I was amazed at how quickly I went from being nauseous to addicted. I had so much fun painting this, but found it is difficult to paint candy without wanting to eat it. Now I need to paint something healthy to get over my sugar high.

M&Ms

5” x 5”

Soft Pastel on La Carte

Abstract in Soft Pastel

For quite a while now, I’ve been thinking it would be fun to paint an abstract of a city street at night. It has been so long since I’ve painted an abstract, and I’ve never done one in pastel, so I decided to start the new year off with something new and different. It was fun to paint, but it was also a challenge. I kept fighting my inclination to make it look like something more detailed.

Night Lights

6" x 6"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

Fowl Play

I painted this for the “Ripped Off” show on EBSQ but didn’t get it finished in time, so now it’s in the “Better Late Than Never” show. The object is to pair up with another artist and rip off their work.

I paired up with Lauren Abrams, whose still life paintings are awesome. I particularly enjoy her toy paintings. She arranges the toys to create a story, then gives the paintings clever titles. After looking through her work, I took a few of her toys and created my own story.

"Fowl Play"

8" x 10"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

DSFDF Portrait

This is my painting for the current Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge. The reference photo I received showed a pretty woman with dramatic back light.

Portrait of Dyanne Parker

10" x 8"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

I've been planning for quite a while to make movies for YouTube, and I finally made my first one with this painting. Check it out!

Still Life in Soft Pastel

My friend Pat Meras (an extraordinarily talented pastel artist - check out her blog!) gave me a little white box lined with newspaper and filled with pears from her tree. I don't know whether Pat consciously tried to make this box of pears look so appealing, or if everything she touches turns out to be a work of art, but I knew I had to paint it. The pears were delicious, too. Thanks, Pat!

9.5" x 12.5"

Soft Pastel on La Carte

Portrait of My Uncle

In the last two years, I've lost three people who were important to me. When I was a kid and first realized that we were all going to die some day, I felt gypped. And afraid. I didn't want to lose everyone I loved. I still don't. But that's part of life, isn't it? We will lose people we love until they lose us. I suppose the only positive aspect is that it teaches you to appreciate what you have while you have it. There was a line about life in a comic strip that has stuck with me: "It ain't nohow permanent."

I painted this portrait of my uncle, who passed away last year, as a gift for my aunt. He was a great man. I hope he knew we all thought so.

10" x 8"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

The Traveler

I've just finished a very difficult commission which has taken up all my painting time over the last few weeks. I know, you thought I was sitting around eating bonbons and not working, and I can't even show you proof until after Christmas (the client is giving the painting as a Christmas gift). You'll just have to take my word for it that I was slaving away at my easel.

I was able to squeeze in some time to paint the current Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge, though, so I can show you that. I had intended to paint all three figures from the reference photo, but given the time crunch I decided I should make the composition easier. All those lost edges were fun to paint, and fun and easy was just what I needed after that commission!

The Traveler

6" x 6"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

A couple of miscellaneous items:

Since I last posted, I have a new web site. My soft pastel demo is on my site, so those of you who were waiting for it can now access the demo at KariTirrell.com.

Also, many people have tried to add me as a friend on Facebook over the last few months. I created an artist page on Facebook, so you can now join me there. Either click here, or in the blog sidebar. Thanks!

Cupcakes and More Cupcakes

I didn’t get a chance to participate in the Different Strokes From Different Folks challenge for week 46-48 when everyone painted cupcakes. It looked like it would be a fun subject to paint, so when I had the time I took a crack at it.

“Cupcakes”
8” x 10”
Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

I had so much fun painting them, but I really wanted to try the same subject on a different support. I heard about a new cupcake shop in Tacoma, so I drove over there looking for good references. I got them!

The shop is called “Sweet Things Cupcakes,” and is full of the most beautiful cupcakes I’ve ever seen. I didn’t get to try any of them because they weren’t gluten free, although the owner said they were planning on serving a gluten free cupcake eventually. The staff was very friendly and very kindly let me take some photos for references.

“Sweet Things”
9.5” x 12.5”
Soft Pastel on La Carte

If I could have eaten one, I’d have picked the Lemon Meringue (which I haven't painted yet). It looked fabulous! If you’re in the Proctor area of Tacoma, please stop by and try one so you can tell me all about it. I want to hear every yummy detail!

BEST IN SHOW!!

Last night was the artists’ reception for the 7th Annual Peninsula Art League Open Juried Art Exhibition. I entered three pieces to the show, but only one got in, so I was feeling lucky to be included. Imagine my surprise when I found my painting had won Best in Show!

"Sunny Spot"

10" x 20"

Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

My dog got a huge, well-deserved helping of turkey when I got home last night!

Pastel Dog Portrait

I painted this pooch for EBSQ’s Pet Portrait Swap ‘09. This year I paired up with one of my favorite EBSQ artists, Lauren Cole Abrams. Lauren doesn’t have a pet, so I painted her mother’s dog, Rocky.

10” x 8”
Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

Hawaii Bound

I’m off to Hawaii with my family for some serious relaxation, and hopefully lots of drinks with little umbrellas in them. Lest you think I’ve been slacking before vacation, I thought I’d post my most recently finished painting.

“Lunch Break”
11” x 14”
Soft Pastel on Suede Matboard

See you in a few weeks. Aloha!