First Pastel

[Julie Deane]

Hi Jimmie -

Thanks! I felt pretty sheepish putting this up after seeing your beautiful first.

Yes, it's Canson. I didn't have trouble with tearing up the paper, but found it had way too much texture for a smooth little girl's cheek. Really had to work on filling up the "pores". I think I'll try another paper next time.

No, it felt pretty natural - a pleasant surprise.

I don't have a full range of colors, so was at a loss for what to do for some shadow areas. My pastels are mainly Rembrandt soft pastels and I don't know what the hard ones are. I have an old old mix from student days plus I inherited some pastels indirectly from a woman who is now incapable of drawing due to Alzheimer's. (Actually, her daughter bequeathed me her old handmade easel, and lo and behold, there was a bunch of pastels at the bottom of the cabinet!).