Gold Splashes Through the Dark Oaks

With a grin I sometimes introduce myself as the mad lady who paints the hill. Roundway Hill near Devizes in Wiltshire and the surrounding fields are my subject as I love to observe them every day. Unison Colour pastels are my chosen medium as they are extremely versatile, encourage expressive mark-making and have an immediacy of use which gives me a lot of pleasure whilst painting. Writing this blog in July coincides with both taking part in Marlborough Open Studios and the development of my August/September pastel workshops. Therefore, the timing is perfect to share with you the process I have employed in painting “Gold Splashes Through the Dark Oaks.”

I chose a favourite spot a short walk into the fields. What really struck me was the contrast of the sun splashed field behind the dark green oaks and the way the gold filled the spaces between them. For a few minutes I absorb the scene, scribbling some notes to describe the sights and sounds of the moment. A very quick charcoal sketch came next to outline the composition I wanted, followed by a second sketch to focus on a bit of detail to include in the finished painting. A couple of photos always help as a colour reference.

Back in my studio I lay my resource material of sketches, notes and photos around my sketchbook on the plan chest and begin the next and most exciting part in my painting process which is what I call the “quickie colour sketch.” I initially designed this exercise to reduce procrastination and to bring momentum into choosing my colours, encouraging expressive marks and to get an idea of my composition down on paper. A few sketchbooks later and this process has become a wonderful record of all my work.

With the addition of my colour sketch to work from I roughly draw the composition using a light coloured pastel on sanded paper taped onto my easel. I then block in each area of colour, quite thickly so all the paper is covered, and once I have blended these using a mini silicone cooking spatula I have a smooth buttery surface on which to define colour and detail. I have quite a collection of blending and sgraffito tools. Here you will see me using a shell to scratch detail into the foreground to suggest grasses. When the painting is completed I initial a corner, give it a final spray with fixative and slip it into a basic mount.

Gold Splashes Through the Dark Oaks 6

Here I have briefly shown you one simple way to use your pastels, however, there are many different techniques to try. I recommend that you spend time researching and experimenting until you find a method which most suits your style and subject, then perfect the process until you really make it your own.

Colour

Colour is the element of my work which is remarked upon most of all. In fact I have many followers who tell me that they look out for my new posts as they find my joyful use of colour so up-lifting.

#thepastel8 Visit to Thorneyburn

A fabulous day was spent at Thorneyburn last Friday in the company of Fiona Carvell, Michelle Lucking, Nina Squire, Cathy Pierce, Lynn Howarth, Meral Altilar, Lucy Brangwin and Rebecca de Mendonça.

My Heart Leaps Up When I Behold A Rainbow In The Sky

The first difficulty in depicting a rainbow in pastel is not the rainbow itself but rather the treatment of the pastel dust in the underlying layers so that the beauty of the rainbow’s colours sit resplendent on top.

Dexterity and Mark Making

How we use and hold our pastels will determine what amazing marks we will make. Eventually, with practice and discovery through play, this will create our style.

Associate Artist Recruitment

Are you a pastel artist? Do you use Unison Colour pastels? Would you like to be part of our Associate Artist family?

Breaking Pastels

Who would believe what possibilities and potential lie inside these neatly wrapped lozenges of colour? They are essentially chunks of pure dry pigment, more intense in colour than any tube of paint.

Announcing New Associate Artists!

In May we held a recruitment exercise for new Associate Artists and we were overwhelmed with the number of applications. So much so we will have 2 groups of new artists. Our 2nd group will be announced in August 2020.

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