Painting White Without Using Pure White

'Sweet Girl'           9x12          pastel         ©Karen Margulis         sold

I never use white pastels. Well.....maybe sometimes but very rarely do I ever use a pure white stick of pastel in a painting.  I recently bought a chalkboard and chalk (for fun) and it reminded me of how chalky a pure white pastel can look. I prefer colorful lights.  When something is supposed to be white like clouds or snow I first look for the colors that are present in the surroundings. White things reflect the colors that surround them so they rarely appear pure chalky white.

When I am faced with painting something white like this adorable little dog I reach for my favorite light pastels...Diane Townsend Soft pastels. These lights are almost white but lean towards a pale color.  I call them 'Almost Whites'.  I love love Terry Ludwig, Sennelier and Schminke lights but I seem to reach most often for the Diane Townsends. I like the ever so slight gritty texture and how it they sound scratchy when using them.

Look at Diane Townsend pastel Here

I don't use a specific color name but when I am low I just order open stock. I like to keep a pale (almost white) version of each primary and secondary color on the color wheel....red, blue, yellow,orange,violet and green.  Basically I want a warm and cool light.

The next time you are painting something white and reach for the pure white....stop and look for the color. Choose a pale light instead of the white. Reserve that pure white for the highlight if it is even necessary.

The pastels I used for this dog painting. No Pure white for this white dog!

A selection of light value pastels with color.....Colorful Lights or Almost Whites

Painting Snow with Almost White Pastels

'Almost Winter'     11x14      pastel        ©Karen Margulis
available $150

I never use white pastels. Well.....maybe sometimes but very rarely do I ever use a pure white stick of pastel in a painting.  I recently bought a chalkboard and chalk (for fun) and it reminded me of how chalky a pure white pastel can look. I prefer colorful lights.  When something is supposed to be white like clouds or snow I first look for the colors that are present in the surroundings. White things reflect the colors that surround them so they rarely appear pure chalky white.

When I am faced with painting something white I reach for my favorite light pastels...Diane Townsend Soft pastels. These lights are almost white but lean towards a pale color.  I call them 'Almost Whites'.  I love love Terry Ludwig, Sennelier and Schminke Almost Whites but I seem to reach most often for the Diane Townsends. I like the ever so slight gritty texture and how it they sound scratchy when using them.

A collection of 'Amost Whites'. The pastel on the far left is pure white for comparison

I don't use a specific color name but when I am low I just order open stock. I like to keep a pale (almost white) version of each primary and secondary color on the color wheel....red, blue, yellow,orange,violet and green.  Basically I want a warm and cool light.

The next time you are painting something white and reach for the pure white....stop and look for the color. Choose a pale light instead of the white. Reserve that pure white for the highlight if it is even necessary.

If you are thinking about painting snow this winter I invite you to look at my Winter/Snow pastel demo download. You can read more about it in my Etsy shop here

A Great Tip For Better Paintings with White

'Winter Creek'           8x10              pastel            ©Karen Margulis
available for purchase here $145

White reflects color and white pastels attract color. It is inevitable. If you store your white or very light pastels in the same box as other colors they will quickly get dirty. They get dusty and rub against other colors and soon they are no longer recognizable as a nice bright light pastel.

No more dirty whites thanks to a blog reader and facebook friend. After reading yesterday's post on my favorite white pastels, Joanne Willoughby shared her tip with me.  Joanne keeps all of her very light, almost white pastels in a separate box. They stay clean and it is easy to find the right light when you can actually see them. She adds that it is also easier to see the subtle difference in the color of the lights when they are together and next to each other. Brilliant!  Thanks Joanne!  I pulled my light pastels and put them in a spare box. (still need to clean them though!)

My new box of lights...a mix of Ludwigs and Townsends

You can take this tip a step further and make a chart of your lights. I am usually happy to order open stock and take my chances with the colors I get. Sometimes it is nice to know the brand and color number or name so having a chart can come in handy.

Today's painting is a winter landscape on Uart paper. My goal was to show the colors present in the now and cold water!

My Favorite White Pastels

'A Walk in the Park'               12 x 12               pastel              ©Karen Margulis
sold

I never use white pastels. Well.....maybe sometimes but very rarely do I ever use a pure white stick of pastel in a painting.  I just got a chalkboard and chalk (for fun) and it reminded me of how chalky a pure white pastel can look. I prefer colorful lights.  When something is supposed to be white like clouds or snow I first look for the colors that are present. White things reflect the colors that surround them so they rarely appear pure chalky white.

When I am faced with painting something white I reach for my favorite light pastels...Diane Townsend Soft pastels. These lights are almost white but lean towards a pale color.  I call them 'Almost Whites'.  I actually love Terry Ludwig, Sennelier and Schminke Almost Whites but I seem to reach most often for the Diane Townsends. I like the ever so slight gritty texture and how it they sound scratchy when using them.

A collection of 'Amost Whites'. The pastel on the far left is pure white for comparison

I don't use a specific color name but when I am low I just order open stock. I like to keep a pale (almost white) version of each primary and secondary color on the color wheel....red, blue, yellow,orange,violet and green.  Basically I want a warm and cool light.

The next time you are painting something white and reach for the pure white....stop and look for the color. Choose a pale light instead of the white. Reserve that pure white for the highlight if it is even necessary.

If you are thinking about painting snow this winter I invite you to look at my Winter/Snow pastel demo download. You can read more about it in my Etsy shop here