Thanks for your interesting video. I've done some of the same things several years ago, and recently started again. Just for interest sake, while you are using distilled water to make your pastels to avoid chemicals, Ivory Soap on the other hand contains the following according to Wikipedia: "sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate or sodium palm kernelate, water, sodium chloride, sodium silicate, magnesium sulfate, and fragrance. The soap has a determined pH value: 9.5." Talcum powder use has been linked to cancer, although the results of scientific studies have been mixed (source: American Cancer Society). Apparently, talc can also contain asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, however any asbestos is supposed to have been removed from baby powder and cosmetics. And, like I said, the actual link to cancer is still somewhat up in the air. And calcium carbonate apparently is not harmful except if large amounts are consumed because it upsets the balance of natural substances in human digestive tracts. Be that as it may, powdered substances like ground pigments, talc, and calcium carbonate may get in the air that we breathe, and as someone who recently had a bilateral lung transplant due to chemical exposure, I'm especially cognizant of such risks. In your case, the quantity of the powdered substances is small, but I suppose at minimum it would be wise to wear a good industrial filter mask when working with them. Thanks again for your instructive video.
mod podge is not really a sealer and attracts and holds dust and dirt. consider using a good acrylic varnish or spray varnish either alone or over the mod podge to protect these lovely pastels long term. I live in Oregon too and now I really want to try this! gorgeous colors!
your video was very enjoyable, you didn't rush through your instructions but moved through the video doing each part of the making of pastels with knowledge and grace. you gave instruction clearly, I now feel confident that I too can make my own pastels. Cheers! from Tasmania.
Love this but was hoping to see you use one of the dried ones on paper so we can see how they work, the colour intensity, and if they’re smooth or crumbly. Also, since I’m not a fan of the smell of Ivory soap, I wonder if using a bar of pure-castile soap would be a good substitute ?
Sondra, do I understand correctly that you are using unprocessed earth, unprocessed except for what you show us in your video? In effect, you are working with naturally colored mud? I've never seen earth/dirt in those colores, especially blue tones! Thank you so much for sharing your process. Your finished pieces are beautiful as well.unique. I shall visit your web site to see more of what you do. It's very inspiring!
This is very helpful for me! Have you ever used tragacanth gum, and if so do you have a suggested ratio? Also did you dry your clay/ dirt pigment in the sun, or the oven, or a dehydrator machine? Or was it ready for grinding? Thank you so much for sharing this video!!
I apologize if I missed it, but I hear you say the green pigment came from the Oregon Coast, but didn't catch where or how to know what to collect. I live on the north Oregon Coast and would like to collect some if it is not a trade secret! Thanks for the video.
Dear Sandra, thank you for sharing your knowldge with us. I wonder, what is the consistency of those pastels? Are they soft? Are they soft pastels or oil pastels or something different? Thanks again. Wish you a good day
Wow- this is so awesome!! I make soap, bath and body products and use Tunisian green clay which is light as air and such a pretty soft green color, would I use the same amounts of binder as you did? Also, how does the soap effect the pastels when they are dry, do they get absorbed and your not getting bits of soap on the paper when drawing?
Thank you for this informative video - but Sandra, the talc and c. carbonate are not binders. They are extenders, and are used to sop up extra water. I don't think you actually needed it for your pastel here. I'm surprised that you didn't use gum tragacanth. Every recipe I've seen (but one) recommends using tragacanth.
tragacant collapse pigment but not allow on grinding on paper . in fact using tragacanth pigmnet on vertical paper do not cover the same. I tried with success arabic gum which allow pigment extensions on papaer !!!
Professor Tasmania> I asked you, Mrs Me please you have my virtuous sister to write me the names of materials that go into the pastel industry I will be grateful to you throughout my lifetime Greetings * Tasmania
It always makes me laugh when people try to tell others they aren't artists. Just because YOU don't like what she created, doesn't mean she't not an artist.
