Have You Tried this Pastel Trick?

'Early Snow'               6x8         pastel             ©Karen Margulis
available on Etsy $125

Did you know that you can make just about any kind of paper into a surface that will accept pastel? Most pastelists prefer a paper or support with tooth so sanded pastel papers are very popular. But you can add to the grittiness or add grit to a paper or support by  brushing on some clear gesso. The clear gesso has just enough grittiness to make a sanded surface! And it is inexpensive!

So you have tried the clear gesso trick. But you may be less than satisfied with your results. Perhaps the texture isn't as obvious as you want or maybe it is making it hard to paint over. I've got some ideas on how you can make the most of the texture from an application of clear gesso.

Here are some links to past articles on clear gesso in these links:
http://kemstudios.blogspot.com/2017/03/a-quick-inexpensive-way-to-make-pastel.html

http://kemstudios.blogspot.com/2016/08/repurpose-pastel-paper-with-twist.html

http://kemstudios.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-quick-and-easy-way-to-get-texture-in.html

To clarify the use of the clear gesso I'd like to add that it can be applied to paper or support board before painting as a preparation or it can be used on top of pastel layers but it will liquify and darken the pastel creating a dark textured underpainting. Don't put it on top of pastel if you don't want to obliterate the painting!

adding some clear gesso to some canvas panels

Today's Painting is done on a canvas panel that was already gray. I added some clear gesso for extra tooth.