I have practiced on many pastel papers and so many are very expensive! I bought a big roll of glassine to protect my sheets as pastels must be framed for any kind of longevity! The glassine is very good at keeping the pictures from smearing or rubbing off! Very nice demo Amy. Thank you for sharing your sweet picture with us!
Perfect timing! I just saw a hack of using watercolor paper sanded down from the channel Monet Cafe. I think it will be perfect to see if I like the medium. The honeycomb texture would drive me bonkers. Your piece turned out so lovely.❤️
Sounds great! I love Monet Cafe! Also, I've got a step by step tutorial coming up on Sunday using the same box of Mungyo pastels, and nothing else. Well, except for a piece of sanded paper.!
I actually like the mi tientes for mixed media (colored pebcil,ink , pastel, gouache, acrylic flashe paint even a light wash) pieces, but i jist bought some of the mungyo pastel paper to test. I hope i like it better because it has really good reviews on Amazon Oh also, i only have the mungyo sof pastels and carbathelo pastel pencils but the carbathwlo worked pretty well on it with little to no dust ❤
Great video - it was very useful to hear your thoughts about the various stages of the painting as it progressed - although the problems with the paper (but not the pastels) seemed to be a constant throughout. It would definitely be interesting to see the pastels used on a more suitable paper, as I suspect a lot of people are going to be attracted to the pastels by the favourable review you gave them but will be worried about the potential frustrations of working on a difficult paper. I have to say, though, that even with the problems you described, the final piece turned out so well with a really nice loose feel (even though you mentioned that your style is often more detailed and realistic). Thanks for sharing this one with us all - it was both entertaining and useful. Regards, Brian.
I definitely am planning to do a comparison video with the same pastels on better paper, and soon too! Thank you so much for the kind words, and for taking the time to leave a comment! I really appreciate it!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful. I will keep trying to find a cheaper option for people who don't want to spend a lot of money, so keep an eye out!
Hullo Amy, I have been concerned about permanence for my artworks and one thing about pastels is even the cheapest brands are made with pigment, some pigments are more lightfast than others no matter the brand! What makes your higher end brands longer lasting is fillers, the more expensive options have little to no fillers! Terry Ludwig’s sticks are purported to have NONE! Unison has very little kaolin clay used to keep them together but they are still wonderfully sort and buttery. I have purchased Schminke sticks and I have found them just about perfect for me. Sure if I can afford Terry Ludwig sticks in the future, who would turn those down? Not me! Museum glass is the best but a good UV protective glass is a good option for framing pastels and watercolors! No artwork should be hung directly in sunlight or on a wall that gets sunshine blasting in on it! Just things to think about when hanging art or selling art to people who might not know how art should be protected.
That was so much fun to watch. Even using "student-grade" products, your talent is obvious - such a cool picture. I do love watching artists use soft pastels. At one point (a few years ago), I was certain I would love them + had a cart filled with the necessary supplies. Before actually purchasing I was at an art store + was able to try out a few. Within seconds I knew it wasn't for me - I hated the feeling I got just holding one. So I didn't end up ordering them. But I really do enjoy watching the great art that people like you are able to produce with soft pastels. Maybe (just maybe), I'll try them again next time I'm in an art store to see if I get the same feeling. Anyway, great tips on using them and I really enjoyed the vid.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it! Also, a lot of artists will wear gloves when they're working with soft pastels. Maybe that could work for you? They really are so much fun!
The painting turned out very pretty even though you had trouble with the paper! I like to use Arches cold press watercolor paper or Arches cover paper for my pastel paintings. It is kind of expense, but you can buy it in big sheets and cut out a lot of different paper sizes.
Hmm... I answered this and my comment disappeared! Anyway, I said I use arches for watercolor but never thought of using it for pastels! How is it for layering? And if you've used sanded paper before, how does that compare to arches? Thanks so much for the tip!
@Winter Woods Studio It layers well. I usually start out with the harder pastels and end up with the soft pastels as the final layers. I haven't used sanded paper a lot, but it probably takes more layers than the Arches paper. I did try out the Ampersand Pastelboard that has a clay finish with ground marble and it didn't layer very well at all for me. After a while it just got too slick and wouldn't take any more layers.
Hi Amy! This painting turned out beautiful in spite of the paper! I use the smooth side with Sennelier and Unison and it is much better than the honeycomb side in my opinion, but the excess dust drives me crazy! And you're right, the tape always tears the paper which is annoying. Have you tried the Canson Mi-Teintes Touch? I was wondering if it was like Pastelmat.
I haven't yet! I will have to try that next. I'm waiting on an order with some of the Canson Sand Grain paper. That was reasonably priced. I have my fingers crossed that it works well! I'm determined to find some cheaper options for people who are just getting started! I have a full length, step by step tutorial using these pastels and a sheet of the Uart sanded paper that should go up on Sunday! That paper isn't terrible for price and is excellent quality. You can get a sheet for $3.50 at Blick. Still not what I would call cheap though.
I'm sorry the paper gave you a hard time but the painting came out gorgeous! I think I'll grab some of those pastels and maybe use Canson XL Sand Grain Texture paper and see how that goes. :)
@@winterwoodsstudioI have sheets and sheets of watercolor paper! So I have practiced on it just so I have a “feeling” for this medium, if I need more tooth after I start I use a workable fixative spray. I have also made a “pastel” surface with clear gesso even adding pumice for a more grabbing surface on my watercolor paper! That does take advanced planning. Sweet video and thank you.
I've heard that sometimes using the other side of the Mi Tientes (sp) paper is better. Also, stick your tape onto you pants before adhering to the project, to lessen the stickiness and reduce tearing. Love your work.
I always remove the tape slowly and in an angle ( I don't pull vertically or straight, I pull away from the paper. Perhaps in a 45degree angle) and the paper doesn't rip.
Thanks for the tip! Is that specifically for this paper the this works for you? Cause I've got to tell you, I've tried every tip every one has given me,and all the tricks I already knew,like using a hair dryer. I've tried 4 different brands of tape and it has ripped every time! I'm about ready to give up on this paper! 😂
@@winterwoodsstudio Yes! It works for me with this paper. It's the technique I use with every paper and just to be sure, before answering, I did a test with regular white masking tape, scotch tape and washi tape. I tried pulling vertically with the masking tape and the paper tore. When I tore it like I usually do, away from the paper and in an angle, it didn't tore anymore. It's worth trying!
