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Saturday, February 11, 2017

Skyscape Pastel Sketch

Skyscape was on the list for Hunt 484  http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1421582
I would normally sketch with pen and ink.  Clouds are fast moving and the hatching for the darker sky and shadows on the clouds is a bit slow.  Working from a photo would be easier.  Sketching with pastels is much quicker with a chance to catch the main idea.

The sketch went fast, about 10 minutes,  on the recycled Pastelbord.  I used the Pastelbord from the abstract paintings I did a few weeks ago, just wiped off the orange and pink pastels.  When I use this same board again, I will wet it down after brushing it off.

Number 8, skyscape - pastels on Pastelbord

I forgot to take a photo while I was sketching, so this is the scene about 20 minutes later after I took and downloaded the photo of the sketch.  You can see how much the clouds moved and changed in that short time.

Painting from life outdoors requires speed to capture the light when you start.  Then you have to ignore the quick changes and just paint the scene.  It is so tempting to keep changing the light.  Most plein air painters paint about 2 hours on a scene.  Even then, the light can move so much.  It is fun and may be my favorite way to paint, but on a nice day and in the shade!

The pastels I used for this Scavenger Hunt sketch were still on the tray, so I just used the same few pastels for my sky sketch.  Lazy me.

10 comments:

hmuxo said...

Clouds are always fun to paint. I have never painted outside since I don't do too many landscapes but maybe someday...not in the cold. lol
This is beautifully painted Jo!! I just bought a pastelbord and I'm looking forward to using it soon.

Jo Castillo said...

hmuxo, clouds are fun. They say painting outside makes you see more color and detail lost in photos. I never do portraits so you have me there. Ha.

Bag Blog said...

Your clouds are great! Maybe you should just add a bit of mountain scene at the bottom of the page and call it a done painting :) I should paint more plein air, because I really like to sit out in nature. You have helped me greatly in that area. We need to get together - need my Gene/Jo fix.

Jennifer Rose said...

how many times can you reuse the pastel board before it done?

Joan Tavolott said...

That sky in pastels is just lovely!!! Pastels are so good for capturing the movement and the wispiness of the clouds.

Jo Castillo said...

Bag Blog, that would be great to get together. Maybe we can come to a ballgame, I'll check the calendar. Not that we need an excuse to travel. Ha.

Jennifer Rose, I have no idea on the number of times. I've only wiped of and re used a couple of times. I have reused that one piece of sanded paper about 5 times! Pastelbord is more sturdy. It loses a bit of tooth, well it gets filled in and I imagine if you deep cleaned it might damage the tooth. Ha. Mostly I have wiped off and then kept the second time. You can damage/indent it with too strong of a stroke like making a heavy line. I have used Pastelbord for acrylics. It is nice as it stays wet for a while but the roughness is hard on brushes! I understand they are finished by hand and made in Austin, Texas, by Ampersand. Lots of info on their website. Colored pencil is great on them, too.They make all kinds of panels. www.ampersandart.com

Joan, thanks. Pastels are very nice for skies on Pastelbord and other surfaces.

Jennifer Rose said...

I've tried something similar with coloured pencils, but i found it really rough. should try pastels on it next time since that is what it was made for :)

Jo Castillo said...

Jennifer Rose, I really liked the colored pencil ONE that I did. Just too tedious for me.

Joanna said...

Love the clouds.

Jo Castillo said...

Joanna, there is something about the sky, clouds, rainbows, etc.....


About Me

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Bastrop, Texas, United States
I Grew up in a small town , Magdalena, New Mexico. I enjoy art and the pleasure other people get from my work. I always donate some of my sales and art to charities, especially for children. That started in Bolivia with Para los Niños. "I cannot pretend to feel impartial about colors. I rejoice with the brilliant ones and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns." -- Winston Churchill

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