Little Red Apples, Clouds and Tiny Lizard

I really liked the Little Green Apples, so decided to do another one of the redder little apples. I thought you might enjoy a work in progress.

I'm using Art Spectrum pastel card that comes in 9 x 12 sheets so the surface is a little different .. this paper can't take quite as much abuse as the Wallis, but is very good and has a consistent surface. I started with the white and decided it was just too white so scrubbed on a little pastel and smeared it with a brush and alcohol again. Nothing special, it won't show except where the top layer of pastel is thin and will add a little interest in the background, maybe.




I then sketched in the placement of the apples with a yellow pastel pencil, you may be able to see a little, then sort of formed the apples with some green pastel to vibrate through the red. I use a mixture of soft pastels.




Next I will add the base colors and start the shadows. I like to work all over the painting. Artists that do fine detail, realistic paintings tend to start in the upper corner and work down to keep from touching what they have done or keep the pastel dust from falling on a part already finished. I also like to work standing up. I can step back easier and don't get too bogged down in one spot and overwork the area.

Gene made me a little tray that hangs on the easel to catch the pastel dust. I still keep a piece of vinyl down to cover the floor and stand on some foam pads to save the old legs! At home I have a rubber mat for use in a machine shop or under heavy loads on a truck.

These clouds were at the golf course today. What a beautiful day.





The tiny lizard was in the patio at the restaurant in Mimbres this evening. That is chipped gravel so he couldn't be much longer than two inches.




The painting will go through a little more of the "ugly" stages, Keep tuned to see how it comes out. :)