Trying Different Pastel Paper

'Marsh Music II'        7x7       pastel       ©Karen Margulis
available $125

 How could I resist? I was poking through the shelves of the art supply store when I saw an unusual pastel paper. I had never tried it before and anything that is marked pastel paper is fair game for me! I took a pack home (OK I took several size packs home) and had a chance to try it today. The lowdown: I think I will be incorporating this paper into my paper rotation. I liked it enough to want to explore the possibilities.

The paper came in a pad and it is made by Shizen Design. It is made in India from cotton scraps recycled from the garment trade. It comes in many colors. I tried the pad of 7x7 white paper with a deckled bottom edge. I also purchased some 12x12 paper in natural colors. This paper has all four edges deckled. Here is a link to the paper at Blicks.com.

• The is not a sanded paper but there is a texture which does grab the pastel. if you look closely at my painting you can see the texture.
• If you like painting on a soft paper you will like the feel of this paper. I wasn't able to get many layers but I enjoyed the give of the soft paper.

I am going to experiment some more but I think this paper would work great with Diane Townsend pastels as well as super soft pastels such as Senneliers. I'll report back when I have done more experimenting. I think it definitely has potential and I will just need to figure out what will work best.

a 4 value underpainting

There are still a few spots left in my February Florida workshop! Email me to register karenmargulis@gmail.com