Kingfisher Study

"Kingfisher Study"
8" x 5"

Tug Boat & Peacock

"Mariner's Landing"
Oil Pastel, 6" x 11"

Decided to work in oil pastels versus dry pastels this weekend down in the studio. Oil pastels historically were first made by a Japanese artist at the end of World War 1 to enhance the educational schooling in that country. Oil pastels consist of pigment mixed with a non-drying oil and wax binder. The surface of an oil pastel painting is therefore less powdery than dry media pastel types, but more difficult to protect with a fixative. I use a clear shellac for protection on many of my oil pastels. Picked up this protection technique 20 years while attending Atlanta College of Art.

The above drawing (painting?) was done in my sketch book to experiment with the media. I did some earlier experiments, but thought it best to stay on that track for a while before working on a large piece. Started with a pencil sketch, followed by filling in with large swatches of color while using solvent to move the oil pastel around more easily. Once I got the under painting done then I applied a single layer of clear shellac. This not only protects the under painting it also creates a fresh new surface to continue drawing on. The tug boat has two layers of clear shellac with varying layers of oil pastel, then finished off with single layer of shellac. Shellac dries very quickly, solvent on the other hand does not, so either use very little or wait until it dries before reworking.

"Peacock Study"
Oil Pastel, 5" x 8"

The peacock study was done on wallis paper, which is used primarily with dry pastels, but works fine with oil pastels none the less. Used too much solvent for the under painting so I had to let things dry over night before reworking certain areas. I also used clear shellac on this painting, but used only one coat for protection. We when to Calgary Zoo a couple of years ago so I had several photos to choose from of this peacock. Thinking of doing another study of this bird, or perhaps I'll do a much larger and more refined painting worthy of framing. One last thing is that it very difficult to photograph these paintings, so I recommend scanning them if possible.

Parting the Light

"Parting the Light"
Oil Pastel on Wallis Paper
6" x 8"

Winter's Roost

'Winter's Roost', October 2010
Pastel, 5" x 8"

Part 5: Work In Progress

'Beyond This Shore'
Pastel on Arches Paper
28" x 48"

WIP 13 - working the wing and background

WIP 12 - working on the wing feathers

Part 4: Work In Progress

WIP 11 - continue to fill in tail feathers

WIP 10 - filling in further

WIP 9 - filling in mid-section

Part 3: Work In Progress

One way to ensure that your color drawing or painting is working in terms of tonality and value is to convert the color photo to black & white. If the b/w picture appears to be dull, that is sameness of tonal value, then you need to increase the contrast. This will require some changes in your color choices.

WIP 8 - Black & White

WIP 8 - Color Image

Part 2: Work In Progress

WIP 8 - starting on the head

WIP 7 - filling out more vegetation

WIP 6 - working out vegetation

WIP 5 - building up middle values

Part 1: Work In Progress

Here a few post showing the progress of a pastel work on Arches paper. Started with a grid to get the proper positioning of the bird on the paper. Then proceeded to laying in a ground using graphite pencil. Once that was completed it was time to lay in the first layer of colors to outline the subject.

WIP 4 - laying down under colors

WIP 3 - laying in pastel

WIP 2 - graphite

WIP 1 - grid and graphite

Gull Chick Nest

"Gull Chick Nest"

Pastel on Paper - 8"x10"

The picture of the above drawing was taken at about the midway point of finishing. I've actually finished this drawing but been lazy to post the final piece. Thinking about scanning the drawing versus taking a photo of the finished artwork at a later date. Been trying to complete at least one drawing a week to get back into producing a body of work like I did during my college years. Anyway enjoy!

Mother Hen

'Mother Hen'

Pastel on Wallis Paper

5" x 7"

Twlight's Becoming

Twilght's Becoming

Pastel Pencil on Paper

(Close-up detail)

Gull Chick

Gull Chick - March 2009

Charcoal on Vellum

(Close-up detail)

Since I had a good experience drawing the chickens on vellum paper decided to give it another try. The kneaded eraser was very effective removing any charcoal mistakes and dealing with hightlights. I'm sure to give this drawing some more of my time.

Hen & Chick

Hen & Chick - March 8, 2009

Charcoals on Vellum Paper

This pass winter Patricia & I were house sitting for a few firends. They had a number of pets for which we were more than happly to feed and play with each day. One day I decided to take a few pictures of the chickens during their feeding time. Now several moths later it was time to sketch up a drawing. I wasn't intending to do the drawing on vellum, but once I got start things were clicking for me to try and finish. The feel of the charcoals over vellum really worked out and permitted me to use a kneaded eraser to pick out hightlights. Hope to add some finishing details at a later date to round it out as a complete drawing.

(Detail Close-up of Hen & Chick)

Flying Gulls Study

Flying Gulls - 2009

Pencil on Paper

Gulls with Eggs Sketch

Gulls with eggs - 2009

Pencil on Paper

Study Thayer Gull 2

Thayer Gull - 2009

Pencil on Paper

Study Thayer Gull 1

Thayer Gull - 2009

Pencil on Paper

Sketchbook - Crane

Crane Study (pastel pencils)

November 2006