Pastels: Once We Were Important
Artists Palette|No 172
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Margaret Ann Wilson
Pastels: Once We Were Important

MATERIALS

Colourfix paper.

Selected artists’ pastels.

While driving down a bush lane one afternoon, I noticed an abandoned property. It seemed so sad to see the old telegraph pole still standing – even though it had not been in use for many, many years. The post and letterbox were from another time, and the fences and wire were all put there by folk hoping for a future in farming. I felt I needed to tell this story.

Before I begin a painting, I ask myself: ‘What attracted me to this subject and what story is it telling me’? I need to determine what to leave in and what to take out. Once I have decided how I will paint the subject, I start making many sketches and doing lots of pondering. I finally come to a conclusion about how to tell the story.

Give this technique a go … see what your final sketch will be. It is a fun way to start a painting. As you are working and thinking, think about the colours, shapes, distance, and so on.

I am one artist who never has ‘white canvas syndrome’! By the time I am ready to begin painting, I am so excited I cannot wait to get my hands covered in pastel.

Starting a painting, I choose the colours for the sky. In this painting, four colours: White, mauve, dark blue and light blue. All colours start from the top. I cover the paper with white from top to bottom; dark blue one-third of the way from the top; and light blue two-thirds down. Don’t be shy to press pastels firmly. Then, working across the paper, start blending from the top down. Blending means to firmly press your fingers onto the pastel and, in small circular movements, work across the paper so your colours are mixed together.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der No 172-Ausgabe von Artists Palette.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der No 172-Ausgabe von Artists Palette.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ARTISTS PALETTEAlle anzeigen
Eye of Observation
Artists Palette

Eye of Observation

Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
No 172
Pelicans To Portraits
Artists Palette

Pelicans To Portraits

This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
No 172
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Artists Palette

Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession

Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
No 172
Pastels: Once We Were Important
Artists Palette

Pastels: Once We Were Important

A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
No 172
Fibre Art
Artists Palette

Fibre Art

This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
No 172
Water Lily Magic
Artists Palette

Water Lily Magic

Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
No 172
Loading Wheat – 1920s
Artists Palette

Loading Wheat – 1920s

It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.

time-read
1 min  |
No 172
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
Artists Palette

‘Jama' – King Cheetah

This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
No 172
Blahuta's Ute
Artists Palette

Blahuta's Ute

Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
No 172
Artists Palette

Artists' Easels

Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.

time-read
7 Minuten  |
No 172