Pastel Demonstration

I was very inspired by Wednesday’s demo by Liz Haywood Sullivan.  So much so, that I immediately went to work painting.  I had wanted to paint all week anyway, but finding time is always a problem in my world.  Finding inspiration is not. Luckily, my granddaughter spent some time at the babysitter’s and with her grandfather, allowing me some uninterrupted time to complete this painting and to photograph it as I went.

First, I decided to reuse a piece of Wallis paper which I had painted on a few years ago, with less than mediocre results. 

I brushed it off, leaving a ghost image on it.

Using a sketch done from a photo I took last spring, I blocked in the basic shapes.

I laid down the darkest and lightest areas first.

Then, using alcohol and a brush, I liquefied the pastel in those areas, making large areas of solid color.

From there, I began to actually paint, putting down many light layers of pastel.

And after some tweaking, the finished product. 

"The Last of the Snow" 

12" x 18"

It felt wonderful to get something accomplished and I have to admit, I think it came out pretty well.

CSX Railroad Trains in First Snow

It was bitterly cold on this Saturday in December, but this view was spectacular and the composition was perfect. The wind made it impossible to do outside, so I sat in my car to paint. It is one of my favorite paintings.


12"x18", framed size is 18"x24"
Paintings come matted and framed under glass, and are ready for hanging.

Snow-Covered Country Road

Done in January 2007 at Jensen's Horse farm in Perinton. The snow covered road and the soft colors in the snow really caught my eye.

size 12" x 18"
This painting is framed and matted, overall size 18" x 24"