Pastel Palette

[Geraldine Nesbitt]

Hi,

Chris Saper mentioned an article by Wende Caporale containing her 54 colours. I started collecting the Artist's magazine in March 2002 so missed it. Does anyone have details of that article they could mail me?

Holly, did you get your palette sorted out in the end, and which brand did you choose?

Regards,
Geraldine

[Sharon Knettell]

I had to giggle when Chris said that!

I was fortunate enough to sell enough of my pastels to buy most every set I could lay my hands on!

I find skintones are so ornery to paint that I cannot find any particular colors that work every time, even with slight modifications. There are ivory, tan,black, pink etc. all changed by the environment that they are in, indoor,outdoor, sunlight and haze.

What I did do was to buy some very good pastel organizers from Dakota Pastels and organize them by manufacturer and color groups. I numbered each individual pastel and color group. I also bought their handmade color charts and put them in a loose leaf binder. DAYS OF WORK! But now if I need a particular color I can look it up in the charts or go to the say, blue green section of one of my pastel sets.

Daniel Greene in his book "Pastel" (unfortunately out of print) recommends this procedure.

I have Great Americans, Unisons, Schminkes, Giraults, Senneliers, Mt. Visions and Nu Pastels. And don't you know , there were a couple of colors I couln't find today!

[Sharon Knettell]

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

I had to giggle when Chris said that!

I was fortunate enough to sell enough of my pastels to buy most every set I could lay my hands on!

I find skintones are so ornery to paint that I cannot find any particular colors that work every time, even with slight modifications. There are ivory, tan,black, pink etc. all changed by the environment that they are in, indoor,outdoor, sunlight and haze.

What I did do was to buy some very good pastel organizers from Dakota Pastels and organize them by manufacturer and color groups. I numbered each individual pastel and color group. I also bought their handmade color charts and put them in a loose leaf binder. DAYS OF WORK! But now if I need a particular color I can look it up in the charts or go to the say, blue green section of one of my pastel sets.

Daniel Greene in his book "Pastel" (unfortunately out of print) recommends this procedure.

I have Great Americans, Unisons, Schminkes, Giraults, Senneliers, Mt. Visions and Nu Pastels. And don't you know , there were a couple of colors I couln't find today!

I started out with a $300 set of Senneliers about 5 years ago and haven't gone back to painting. I then bought the complete set. I did 2 (40" X70" ) pastels with that set plus a couple of Rembrants.

I would probably buy a few portrait sets to see what brand works best for you then get the complete line. I would suggest either the Great Americans or the Senneliers, because they have the greatest range of colors. Even figurative or portrait work most often requires colored apparel and backgrounds.

Pastels are an investment in yourself. You can build a good selection color by color or set by set.