I'm tryin' again

Mary Sparrow · 02-08-2005, 07:54 AM

Jimmie, Jimmie, Jimmie, if you only saw what mine look like when I am in a stress mode you'd wonder why you are stressing. If this is what you do when you are stressed I can't imagine what you will do when you feel like you have gotten the hang of it. I remember the first few times I used a pastel how awkward they felt to me, like I just didn't have much control (compared to drawing with a pencil). But once you get used to the way they feel in your hand, I bet you won't be so worried about what you are doing. You are definately a gifted man!

Patricia Joyce · 02-08-2005, 10:09 AM

I don't know a thing about Pastels. But I know a beautiful portrait when I see one. And my eyes are feasting on this one Jimmie. Please keep creating - your work is always uniquely yours and extremely beautiful.

I was stressed in my studio last night after working some sketches for my next piece, and to relax, I pulled out your demo on how to draw hair - just enjoyed looking at your work in developmental stages. You continue to inspire me!

Linda Brandon · 02-08-2005, 10:19 AM

This is wonderful, Jimmie. I keep coming back to look at the nose again. (What's the surface that you're using, or did I miss that in these posts?)

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-08-2005, 10:26 AM

Thanks so much guys, I feel so much better. So much in fact, that I assumed you were all lying and put another 2 1/2 hours into the face and background last night. I'm just kidding, I felt you guys were being honest, but still put more work into it. I adjusted the eyes, the mouth needed to be slightly bigger, the nose was too small, and her left cheek was drawn incorrectly. I fixed them last night and feel better about it now. I still need to work on the eyes at a later time. What's screwing me up is the amount of mascara she's wearing. It completely hides that pretty pink rim on the lower eyelid. I'm considering faking it by practicing on a different piece of paper.

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Jimmie I agree with Mike, your colors are so "fleshy". What is your palette and which kind of pastels. I think this is hard to achieve, I end up much more impressionistic with my pastel colors.

I have a few colors from different companies. I posted a pic of my set under here. In no way would I consider it a palette as I jump around from color to color cursing until something looks ok.

I start with the Polychromos, which are like the Nupastels. I like the Polychromos more, they are a little softer and they're supposed to last longer(lightfast). They work nicely for details later on also. I use Rembrandts early for blocking in shapes, I have a portrait and landscape set of them. I also have a small portrait set of Giraults. They're used the most because it's like holding a pencil, just wish I could afford the entire set. There's a small portrait set of Unison's that I use late in the painting. They have a real nice color, imo, for flesh highlights labled RE13. It's the lightest color in the face. Got some portrait Schminke's, but they're rarely used.

I'll post some updates and let you know what I've been doing. Thanks again everyone.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-08-2005, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the recent replies that must have been posted while I was typing.

Appreciate the info on the shirt Cindy!

Linda, the nose has been worked on. I like it more than before, hopefully everyone will agree. Added her nose stud also. The paper I'm working on is Wallis museum grade. I tried airbrushing some color before I started, but it has gotten lighter, something I did'nt expect but should have. I bought some of the Belgium Mist from Wallis, but it's professional grade only, it's not available in museum grade.

Thanks again.

Andrea Cranmer · 02-08-2005, 02:58 PM

WOW! I am so thrilled for you. This is incredible! You'd never know you stressed about this one. It has such a loose, fresh feel to it. So beautiful!

Sharon Knettell · 02-08-2005, 06:42 PM

Amazing!

What a jump from your first effort. You really have a natural feel for pastel. One thing I love about pastel, is that it forces you to use a color you would have never thought of using, because your options are more limited.

Beautifully, freshly executed.

One teensy-tiny thing. I know her mascara is strong, but the inner tear duct is too harsh, soften it. Also When a models eyeliner is too dark I go a shade lighter in the pastel than what you think you need.

Watch out Jimmie, pastels can be more addicting than drugs! Ask Mary. You are always running out to buy the perfect color or two, and whammo, youv'e emptied your wallet!

Heidi Maiers · 02-09-2005, 12:00 AM

So inspiring Jimmie to see you diving into different mediums. I think color is the ultimate challenge and you are off to a great start here. I'm anxious to see it once you declare it finished - also am anxious to see the level of your pastel work a year from now . If anything like your mastery of the pencil, they will be breathtaking, I'm sure of it.

I have never tried to paint, but I did do a series of about a dozen landscapes in pastel one semester in college and loved it (even though I was working with just a cheap, old, brittle box of pastels). Actually, a classmate offered to buy them all from me. I couldn't see selling "student work" and ended up throwing them all in the dumpster. Pretty dumb now looking back.

Jimmie Arroyo · 02-09-2005, 01:33 AM

Thanks guys,

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You'd never know you stressed about this one

Oh my God, trust me, there was much stressing going on. Still is, but the comments made here have made it easier.

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One teensy-tiny thing. I know her mascara is strong, but the inner tear duct is too harsh, soften it. Also When a models eyeliner is too dark I go a shade lighter in the pastel than what you think you need.

Thanks Sharon, your advice means a lot to me. I think I did better with the eyes. I lightened the mascara with dark gray and softened the duct. I also did minor changes to the nose, lips and shape of her left cheek. The closeup I'm including actually shows just how many layers were used until I came up with something I liked! I was nervous about loosing tooth.

I'm seriously considering changing the shirt neckline to show more upper chest, maybe a couple of inches. A Daniel Greene tape I have shows him using a razor to remove pigment. Has anyone tried this?

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also am anxious to see the level of your pastel work a year from now

I hope I get to work consistantly without interuptions, life is funny that way. Thank you.