April
 

A pastel I just finished of a former student. I'm pretty happy with it, especially that I did it in about 20 hours - which is fast for me. Last year, April was one of my most talented art students.

Thanks for looking!

pastel on paper, approx. 19 1/2" X 24 1/2".

!!!!
My turn to stand in awe at your work!
What a classic piece--so elegant in pose and execution.
My hat

This is intensely beautiful.

What a delight.

Beautiful David,
a classic beauty with a lot of elegance !

Lovely in every way. This is one to come back to.

It's beautiful, David.
I like the simplicity and elegance, the great variety of edges and the subtle value changes.
At first I thought it was an oil. :)

David, what a great portrait! She's very much alive, human, modern, in a classic pose. The great things about your work is that you seem to see the beauty in all your subjects. You have a way of conveying your appreciation of these individuals without idealizing them. This one is a perfect example of that talent and vision.

Thank you all very much. I'm glad you like it.

Allan, that makes me very happy. I really need more color work in my portfolio - for a future website, contacts with brokers, etc. - and though I'm currently in the middle of two oils, it is going painfully slow. This was only about 20 hours, so now, I think if I can knock out 4 or 5 of these pastels - well, it would be great for said portfolio.

Alex, thanks so much! I know we've discussed this before, but I really believe that if you look - really look - at any individual, there is great beauty there. On the surface, some appear to be more beautiful than others. But at the heart of it, I think every human being is essentially... noble (though, at times, we have ways of not living up to our potential... :bewildere ) and it is that nobility, that excellence, that quiet, penetrating beauty that I am mostly interested in depicting. And I'm happy you think they don't come off as being idealized...I do worry about that.

I notice that when my students do a series of life drawings, with them each taking turns posing; or when they do each others' portraits - I can tell that they gain a whole new appreciation and respect for the student that they are drawing. By intently gazing, and constantly "repeating the gaze," they see qualities in each other that they hadn't noticed before. It's wonderful...magic. The power of art.

David

David, this is fabulous work! I am so glad you have posted it. Would you be so kind and tell us the paper you used? Grate stuff!!! Good for you.

Wish you all the best

Mischa, I bought a bunch of paper three years ago and I can't remember what brand of paper this is. But I can tell you it is 50cm X 70cm. ( about 19 3/4 X 27 5/8" ) It is a sanded surface and comes in many colors - I used the black one. It comes with about 1 cm ( 1/2" ) of white border...so if any of you pastel masters out there recognize these specs... ;) do share!

Mischa, thanks for your nice response. It means a lot.

David

I second everyone's word here. I loved it.

Claudemir, thank you so much. You're very kind!

David

Oh David, this is exquisite! I am in awe of your ability.

David,
This is quite amazing. I love everything about it! I bought a set of pastels and some wallis paper with hopes of experimenting with this medium. You have certainly inspired me. What brand of pastels do you use? Any tips or suggestions?

Cynthia

Mary, thank you very much, but I do think you are being too kind. I know for a fact that I have a long way to go.

Cynthia, thanks! I've got a lot of different brands of pastels lying around. Most of this was done with pastel pencils (I'm still a control freak) - both "Pitt pastel" (Faber-Castell) and Cretacolor pencils. Then I used some Unisons - great pastels, "like buttuh!!" - for some deeper richer tones that the pencils could't match. I also might have used pastels from Artwork, Rembrandt, Schmincke...they were on my table. I didnt smudge at all, except for the background - I liked the texture I could achieve without smudging.

As for suggestions, I don't have any. I'm still trying to figure this medium out myself. I think every artist just needs to experiment and find out what turns them on. I would use Wallis or any other of the sanded papers out there. I've used charcoal paper and I don't think it holds up as well.

David

Wow, David, beautifully done.

This is beautiful and inspiring. I like the control you have shown over the medium. I wish my experiments turned out more like this. :)

Thanks for posting.

Richard

I think it's difficult to create a work that is both sensitive and dramatic but you have done it (again) - this is so lovely, David!

David,
What a beautiful painting to study. It stands repeating, this is to rich and full of life. I am amazed that it is pastel, your blending is amazing. And I love your color, too. Something about the painting makes you want to get to know the sitter. You have captured a personality here. Wonderful.

Julie, Richard, Linda, Patricia,

Thank you all so much for taking the time to look and respond. Your feedback means so much. Linda and Patricia, am I correct in thinking that I will get to see you both next month in Philly? :)

David

David--

Just came across this...it's a stunning portrait. There is a very classic feel, but the contemporary piercings and jewelry bring it into the present. A great balancing act. Mood and subtlety of character are of the highest order.

Just wonderful, as good as it gets!

Hi David,
Yes, I will be there in Philly and I can't wait to meet you and other forum members! Haven't heard yet if there will be a dinner. This will be my first time and I am excited to be going.

I am so happy we finally get to meet you! You will absolutely love this conference. They are really well-run, a great opportunity to meet other artists, very informative...It will be my fourth and they are always a highlight of my year...

David

I'll be there, David, and it will be great to talk to you again. :)
Patricia, it will be wonderful to meet you (and anyone else who is going whom I have not yet met).

Just beautiful and painterly, your painting shows off the versatility of pastels. It could easily be an oil painting.
I wonder how long did it took to complete using pencils?

Tom, thank you very much. Actually, she had more earrings than I showed, and even had a lip piercing, which I left out. I wasn't opposed to including it, except that it was so small I thought it might read as a mole or pimple or something. If it was bigger and more defined, I probably would have included it. After all, that's who she is. Some of my artist friends and colleagues are of differing opinions on whether it is a good idea to include such a decoration. I almost called her up and had her sit again for me with a larger lip stud (or whatever you call them...)

Margaret, I am so glad you think it looks like an oil painting. I like the fact that pastels have that look. This one took me about 20 hours, or so.

David

This portrait is breathtaking! :)

Dear David,

I have complete missed seeing this beautiful portrait. I first thought it was done in oils as well and I am just in awe that you have such control over pastels. Bravo!

Christy, from one as gifted as yourself, your response means a lot!

Enzie, thank you so much. I really do love working with pastels, though it has been a while since I've touched them ...I've been preoccupied with several oil commissions, and so I'm anxious to do another pastel.