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| 'Way Down South' 18x24 pastel ©Karen Margulis available $450 |
The answer is to limit the number of pastels used for a painting. Many pastel artists leave out each stick of pastel used. Or they stand them up so they can see how many are in use. I prefer to choose my pastel palette in advance. I am still too tempted by that big box of yummy color so I have to avoid it and keep my working palette seperate.
I like to pull out the colors I think I will need for a painting during the planning stage. I found the perfect way to keep them available and protected. Metal Butcher Trays! They are sold for mixing paint (purchase here) but they make excellent trays for a working pastel palette.
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| 'Way Down South 2' 5x7 oil on panel $75 |
I bought several of these trays. I line them with an old washcloth so the pastels don't roll around or shift. Having several trays allows me to keep a working palette for a painting while starting a new painting with a different palette. This week I have three trays in use. I have three different projects all with different palettes. I don't have to clean up and start over until I am finished with my projects.
Sure you can use box lids or even place the sticks you are using on a table or paper towel....but these butcher trays are durable, easy to clean and stack for storage. They truly have been one of the most important tools I use in the studio!
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| butcher trays with working palettes in action |
8 comments:
Karen, one of the first things I did after seeing the butchers tray attached to your easel years ago was to start using one. I found is hard at first to chose my palette prior to painting and sometimes I had to add "spice" or a fe other pastels I did not take in consideration before choosing but what a huge difference as the painting was so cohesive when finished. Thank you
Hauling my butcher's tray out right now!
Thanks, I always end up with too many pastels in front of me.
Thanks for your daily emails with useful tips, Karen - I always look forward to them. Although I like using a butcher tray for mixing watercolors, for pastels, I prefer using the black plastic trays that are used to package sliced cheeses and lunch meats. They're free, can be tossed in the dishwasher and are not as heavy as butcher trays. They have a textured bottom that keeps the pastels from rolling around. After a few uses, I toss them in the recyle. So, for those who can't afford to buy several butcher trays, this is a great option that has worked very well for me.
Karen, Just like you use a push pin to create 'grass,' you can use the end of a paint brush to scrape 'grass' onto an oil painting. Also, it amazes me how much you have improved in 7 days! Your confidence shows through.
Karen Rodgers
LOVE Way Down South, especially the thin sharpness and vibrancy of the marsh grass in the foreground. Exquisite!
Dotty
Finally!!!! since you've started doing oils i've been saddened because your oils were more vibrant, which is what i've always loved about your pastels. Finally in this one your pastels blew me away (again); as they usually do!!!!!!
Also love seeing the little oil painting with your pastel version. This is very cool. I might get into some oils later on, still need to work out wet painting drying area.
An easier to find and less expensive option for a butcher's tray that I use is an aluminum "quarter" cookie sheet that I found at Walmart. It's not as fancy, but it is easy to replace if need be.
Steve Petroschek
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