Dear Tom, a loyal and much loved friend who brought joy and inspiration to so many all over the world, gone far too soon. You revealed magical new horizons to us all and we will never forget you. RIP...
Thankyou for the demo Tom. I can’t tell you how shocked i was when i saw the opening sequence of a handful of pastel onto to the paper! I have been trying to ‘ teach’ myself artistic technique for about 3 years now, being a complete beginner with no art tuition or inspiration at school or at home. I am drawing and tracing and aiming for realism so this art lesson was an eye opener and makes me realise how ‘ tight’ i am. I just can’t imagine ever doing something like this but if i don’t, i will never progress. I love the way this demo took me to an imaginal and immediate world.
Thank you for your comment, Isabel. I would suggest that you 'explore' the properties and possibilities of pastel by simply making different marks without a particular intention, such as landscape, still life etc. so that you accumulate a range of techniques that can then be used to make the kinds of pictures you want. I would simply add that it would be good to occasionally 'explode' onto the paper, almost without control, because this is the essential counterpart of doing something very precise. You need both ends of the spectrum! Best wishes - Tom
I see a mother holding her baby close desperately trying to protect her baby from a serpent and somthing else hanging over her head. That was before he made it his view
How? HOW? How is it that this... THIS entire recorded work of amazing beauty, from beginning to end, only has a little over 2000 views? I just don't understand the ways of this world. You, your art, the filming, the studio, the artwork within it (I particularly loved the harp) is nothing short of brilliant.
Thank you for this wonderful insight into the world of pastels. I have only just started this adventure, I can’t wait to explore like you have just done. I intend to go back snd find more of Tom’s wonderful work. By the comments previously it seems we have lost another amazing person to our world. I’m so sorry to see that but may your legacy live on for generations beautiful man.
I laughed with Joy when you grabbed that handful of stubs and smacked it down, and started the dance! My eyes got so big. Fantastic! I am so inspired! Thank you for sharing this! I get so trapped in trying to do things " right" and forget what it's all about!
I am so grateful to Tom Walker for his endless generosity to share with public a divine process of creation. Everything is perfect about this film: the mesmerising music, Tom Walker’s voice, the unexpected, shocking, captivating start of the process and the calm and confident professionalism with which the painting is brought to life. A truly unique combination of perfectly matching properties all in one film. Thank you so much for this breath of fresh air!
I have been exploring the universe of pastels for several years, with very little art schooling or technical knowledge. This video was an absolute joy to watch. So many revelations watching your process. I instinctively blend with my fingers...always have. You have inspired me to go beyond the image I 'see' and dare to create something from nothing. There is so much energy in your work. I see planets, Cosmos, Universal Light and Energy.......you brought tears to my eyes - completely magical. Thank-you for sharing your creative talents and thoughts.
I always work on black paper. The make I use is Colorama which is available in big rolls and usually used in photographic studios as backdrops. (Available in numerous colours) Its very good quality but, relatively, a lot cheaper than in art shops. For instance, a roll 135cms wide by 11metres long costs about £50 but will last a very long time when cut into sheets.@@DonandJulia1111
Wow! I definitely see where you find the church, i saw Gothic arches and my immediate feeling was portal. I also saw a jukebox lol, perhaps aliens are having a party in the universe, I love it, wish I could go there but I get lost and create a mess. Thank you, you are amazing 😃
Well, stunning all around. The light arising out of the dark indeed. Excellent lesson in pastel technique and art philosoph I liked best the demonstration of pastel transparency, the image of under water cathedral and the burst of chaos. Wonderful filming and editing. Juhu!!!
My very first medium was soft pastels. Left it for a while but now return to it more and more often. Nice , smearing handfuls of pastel on your paper , also , expensive lol Funny , I never used black paper , I don’t think. My next painting is to be 4x6 feet , an acrylic , hmm maybe make it a pastel ? I loved your energy immediately, even before I started the video. RIP Join me in my gallery sometime , I await your spirit.
BRILLIANT! You've opened up an entire universe to explore with my favorite medium. You're thought process is very inspiring too. Thank you for the inspiration.
I loved this! I’m very spontaneous in my process using paint and mixed media but I’ve never seen anyone do this with pastel. I would enjoy trying this!
Yes, though very fragile, pastel is probably the most flexible of all the mediums. I've been working with pastel for over 50 years and still discovering different ways of using it. But I have nothing against all the other mediums and have used most of them too!
My mind is blown! I don’t think any teacher has shown me more of the infinite possibilities of pastel. Thank you is not enough to say. I’ll be searching for other places your work is shown and any learning opportunities you have so I can explore your extraordinary physical and musical style.
No, I don't use any fixatives. They can seriously damage the pastel surface and can prevent further work on a pastel picture. Best to protect images in frames or in portfolios interleaved with grease-proof paper.
Cheers Tom. I've noticed that so many artists who come to pastel as a medium often constrict themselves by thinking it is the same as all others, like oils, acrylics and watercolour applied with a brush or a knife. I hear often by newcomers to pastel, especially if they've worked in other mediums is that the pastels are akin to ''wild horses'' that are far too difficult to control. What is often carelessly overlooked is that the medium of soft pastel IS the tool. I've noticed the preconceptions and conditioning by too many when transitioning from paint and brushes, an astonishing array of opacity, translucency, deliberate and almost unlimited mark making, removal and moving with a rubber and so much more are never explored. For me, the extremities of line and texture, put pastels light years ahead of any other medium/tool. In my pastel practice, I employ and exploit all the techniques you have described to the full in almost every aspect of my work, even though mine is a tighter more naturalistic style than your wonderful poetic adventures. I've found that the versatility of pastel is the most liberating of all mediums, not the least of which for the fact that there is no drying time and very little to no mixing time involved. I also enjoy the fact that pastel invites the nuanced touch of the hand to move it and blend it, or at times to push it vigorously if needs be. The latter frees me up to complete works more efficiently and as a result, I can continue a work to its completion uninterrupted and at a rapid rate, while still maintaining precision and purpose. Thank you Sir and I look forward to new and exciting explorations in your future offerings. Please forgive my rambling but to see the freedom you employ in your work, reminds me how entirely liberating pastels are. Peace be on your house.
Thank you - I agree whole-heartedly with everything you say about this marvelous medium. I'd be really interested to see some of your work. Can you send a few images please to the address on my website? All the best - Tom
What a wonderful way of using soft pastels, letting your imagination taking over! Next Thursday we’re going to work with (soft)pastels during class at art school in Amsterdam. The life stills at your website are a great inspiration! Thank you for sharing the way you work with us. Many greetings from The Netherlands 🇳🇱 Nicole
Fascinating techniques - i saw a grotesque face in the initial spreading of pastels, interesting how our imagination works. I enjoy working with pastels and you have broadened my ideas with this video, thank you.
Astonishing what takes place right in front of your eyes when your willing to let go and let the dust settle where it may, so to speak. I find this piece to be fascinating as it shows so many avenues taken. Yet they all are siblings of the first speck. Dancing together they have created a new species of the movement. I thank you kindly for sharing your talents with us. Your work speaks proudly. Loretta in Alaska
Wow! After my initial shock at the pastels going everywhere, I absolutely loved how random and fun this demo was! And the beautiful creation that just emerged!! I will have to try this with my students! :D
I love your art Mr. Walker ❤! Your technique is intriguing. That was a great method at the beginning of the video! I will try that, but i will have my paper on the floor so i dont have to sweep up the pieces!
Hello Kathleen and thanks for your wise comment! Would you believe that, after nearly 50 years of working with pastels I've only just realised, a couple of years ago, when my son and I made that video, that it would be wiser and less messy to do what I call: 'pebble dash' with the paper flat on a table or floor! Ah well, live and learn! All the best - Tom
the paper is Colorama black background paper as used in studios. It is slightly textured like standard type cartridge paper ( available in about 40 colours and in rolls up to 4m wide and 20m long!) available on Ebay, Amazon etc and very good value. Thanks for your question.
I find this absolutely fascinating - and inspirational !! Presumably you are using black pastel paper? Thanks so much for your free-ing techniques. Jane / Oxford
Hello Jane - glad you enjoyed the show! - good quality pastel paper of any colour tends to be pretty expensive in art shops. For many years I have been working on black ,photographic background paper ( available in about 50 colours ) which comes in rolls - the smallest size is 1.35m x 11m (between £40 and £50), easy to cut up into small sheets. Much larger sizes are also available. It's good, strong stuff, usually used in photographic studios as backdrops. I get my supply on ebay and find that Colorama is the best make. Best wishes - Tom
@@tomwalkerartist7356 Hi, Tom - that is really helpful. Yes, I so enjoyed the way you made that pastel painting - lots of very interesting techniques to try - just want to get at it!!
I don't use fixative sprays which can damage the surface, so the picture has to be framed under glass with an inner frame between the glass and the picture to avoid any contact with the picture surface. The larger the picture, the deeper the inner frame must be.
I always work on black paper. The cheapest option is background paper as used in film and photographic studios and its very economical. However, it comes in rolls, 11 metres x 2 metres so you'll have plenty! (available on ebay) the make is Colorama. Its very good quality.. All you have to do is cut it to the sizes you want. Hope that helps. All the best - Tom
Hard to credit this stuff as having quality or real value . Still it takes all sorts and who can equate one technique against another withcertainty . Degas might cringe -at least I think he would . But that was over 100 years ago . Not for me .Sorry
