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Sunday, September 13, 2015

Pastel Demo: Florida Wetlands with Reflections

'Another Quiet Morning'              12 x 15 3/4'              pastel             ©Karen Margulis
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It's funny how a picture just calls out to be painted. I was in the middle of several projects and going through my reference photos. One just stopped me in my tracks. I had to paint it and it couldn't wait. It has been awhile since I did a step by step photo demo so I kept my camera handy while I painted this one. Enjoy the progress shots and my commentary.


I am using a piece of white Pastelmat 12 x 15 3/4. I begin the painting with a quick drawing laying out my big shapes. This is a scene from a central Floirda wetlands and there are a lot of marsh grasses. My challenge will be to keep them simplified.


Next I block in the big shapes with some dark, light and middle values. I chose colors that were close to the final local colors. Underpainting colors are fun....sometimes I go with value or maybe bright colors or complements....there are so many choices. Today I felt like keeping it close to the local colors. I use a mix of hard and soft pastels. It is more about the right color and value.


I decide to wet the pastel with water to make a soft and dreamy underpainting. Since I am painting a lot of water and reflections, the wet underpainting gives me a head start. I use a soft wide brush. Pastel mat absorbs the water so you don't get the rips that other papers allow but I still like the soft underpainting.



Once the underpainting is dry I block in the darkest areas of the painting. I use several colors all the same value. I am using Terry Ludwig pastels with a few Unison and Nupastels.


Next I move onto filling out the trees. I use several greens to flesh them out and give them form. I  pull the tree colors down into the water. I also pull some lavender over the reflections to start the feeling of mist.


Once all of the trees and grasses are blocked in I paint the sky. I choose a pale yellow to represent the early morning light. I also put the same yellows in the water. At this point I was too involved in the painting to remember to take a photo! But it was just a matter of refining the painting and choosing where I wanted to put the most clarity and focus. I added tree trunks, sky holes and grass blades. The finishing touched were the current lines in the water.


Finished! I always forget how much I enjoy working on Pastelmat. It really allows for a bolder mark-making which I love.  Below is a close up of the grasses and current lines.


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7 comments:

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

What a stunner!

robertsloan2art said...

Wow! Once again - one of your best. This one has a very natural feel. I could fall right into it, can't help feeling like we're gliding along in a pirogue and might see an alligator or nutria any minute. Pastelmat gives a different feel than other papers.

I love the edge play in this one. The sharp focus stuff is very clear and sharp, it seems super detailed till I rest my eyes in those wonderful mists. Early morning mist before it's hot and soggy. It feels like it's bursting with life. Any moment now a flock of egrets may land to start their morning fishing.

Of course it helps that I've been out there, but you captured that lazy time-halting wonderful peace of the wetlands. I love this! Great demo too, I pinned it with art lessons!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful! I learn so much from your blogs.

jytte said...

Dear Karen

It is beautiful. I love all your small details :o)

JZino said...

Your reflections and current lines are to die for. Beautiful.

tres said...

Step by step is VERY helpful. Thnx so much!!

jojo said...

les bleus de sous couche m'ont surpris ! mais tous cela fonctionne a merveille ,( en définitif ,dans les complémentaires.)