Pastel closeout on legendary Robert Doaks!

Mary Sparrow · 01-31-2005, 06:59 PM

Thanks Sharon, I saw your PM before I saw this post.

Laura B. Shelley · 02-01-2005, 12:16 AM

I've heard of Doaks, but I haven't seen those pastels discussed very much, so I'm ignorant of their qualities. Hey, a new pastel brand to experiment with? Not a problem.

I've just been on a pastel-making jag with my Wallis pigment doughs and an assortment of dry earth colors. I now have several dozen new sticks made in a flat triangular shape that I like very much. I may crush down and re-make some of my older sticks in that form.

Mary Sparrow · 02-01-2005, 11:27 AM

Oh My Sharon! I just got off the phone with Mr. Doak.

I have NO idea what I just ordered LOL!

You are right, he is quite the character. He didn't particularly care for the fact that I use La Carte and Wallis, and is sending me all sorts of pumice and glue and tints and who knows what else??? He told me to use illustration board, or matt board or homosote from the lumber yard??

All I wanted was to try them, but I think I ordered 150 of them. I didn't spend six hours but he did bend my ear for over an hour.

I can't wait to see what I got!

Mary Sparrow · 02-03-2005, 02:57 PM

When you warn us to stick with the pastels..what else does he have?Oil paints?

I figured from what he is sending me for the price he quoted they are going to be 1.69 each. He said he usually charges 6-8 dollars each, is that true?

I figure even if I don't LOVE them, for that price I will have a nice even range of skin tones for less than anything else decent I could buy.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-03-2005, 03:44 PM

Sharon do you know how long this will last?

He hasn't returned my email, but I am guessing he just doesn't check his messages all the time.

Mary Sparrow · 02-08-2005, 06:22 PM

Sharon,
Good news and bad News here too.. I couldn't resist opening and seeing what he sent, and you are right, repacking that pile of saw dust would be a pain.

I was happier than I expected to be after your post, I got 150 pastels, and comparing it with what I currently have...which is not one full set of anything, I definately have more portrait skin colors to work with than I would if I only bought a couple of smaller "portrait" sets from unison or G.A. etc and spent the same amount or less money. So I am not going to worry about it. You may have opened my box and been upset by the "mish mash" but it was a definate improvement for me.

I am a little irritated on one end, I feel he sent me way too many greens, especially since I asked for some browns and got NONE!

As for the rest, It will be fun to experiment. I have a birthday coming up in a couple of months so I am going to aim for the full set of GA's then.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-15-2005, 01:22 AM

I went into Brooklyn this morning and bought a nice batch of colors. I was'nt planning on buying many portrait colors, but many looked too good not to pick up. I got two each of the ones that I felt I would use more often. I went mainly for blues and am very happy with his selection. His purples are beautiful also.

He's a man that definitely loves his work. You can see the dedication in him. Willing to answer every question and then some. Taking his time to pack up each piece and making sure they were safe on my way home.

Here's a pic of the ones I bought, about 120. Took so much time taking them out of the saw dust filled boxes, I'm not gonna get the chance to try them out tonight. Hopefully tomorrow!