untamedartists

I need help

whats the secret to fine detail with pastels?Sharpened pastels?

I can't seem to be able to layer the pastels either, the colour underneath seems to lift when I apply a colour on top

Am I right in using colour shapers?

Any help would be fantastic.

Thanx all, Les.

Hi Raggy, the first question I'd ask is what paper are you using? I know both Leigh and I use art spectrum's colourfix which is course, like sandpaper but in different colours so you can let the colour do some work for you. I know in England there are papers like Royal Sovereign which is Eric Wilson's favourite. It think it goes by other names too so do a search.

Leigh could tell you more about colour shapers, but if we know what paper you are using, we can take it from there

I think you've hit the nail on the head Patrick, I am using ordinary coloured paper, never dawned on me that the stuff I'm using is the wrong type of paper

Thats annoying really cos I was quite pleased with the early stages of a baby Chimpanzee portrait that I am drawing, I think I will carry on with it and use it as a practice run.

I'm gonna pick up some proper pastel paper tomorrow and see how I go.

Cheers for the help.

Les.

Hi Les, sorry it's taken so long for me to get back here and post. Regarding colour shapers I use them sparingly, generally only to carve passages through my underlying layers. I find these do their best work with wrinkles.