I've been busily playing with new materials all week. No masterpieces, but lots of sketching, swatching and interesting discoveries. Here, for instance is my second try with markers. It's only about 4.5" x 3.5." I've learned that the marker colors aren't as "blend-able" as watercolors. (Also, that the reds are a little garish in the set I have). Definitely better for sketching than for painting, but I'm intrigued enough to have put a small set of brush pen markers on my Christmas list. I think the bigger, softer tip will suit me better.
I spent a lot of time this week in my yard, taking out the overgrown thicket that started life as three tiny Fairy shrub roses. Too late, I realized I didn't get a "before" photo, so I decided to document my War of the Roses from memory. I used the markers at bottom and broke out my watercolor pencils at the top to draw a few leaves in detail. Overall, I still feel I have better control with pure watercolor, but the markers do intrigue me and I see potential using the pencils for sketchbook drawing.
Now, as promised, the oil pastels. Here—don't laugh!—is my first oil pastel (about 8"x5"). My first impression: Oil pastels are like crayons but with a more adult smell. Despite this start, I'm intrigued and plan to do some more. So far, it seems the key is layering to get enough coverage and then blending to smooth the texture.
I spent a lot of time swatching and playing and realized I'd been lied to by my pastel box. The box claims that "when brushed over with a wet brush, colors can be blended and shaded." While this didn't seem logical (oil and water?), it did sound exciting, so I gave it a try. The box lied—I can blend with my finger, with a q-tip, with my finger wrapped in a cloth and even with a q-tip dipped in olive oil; but NOT AT ALL with water.
This is 9"x12" and is really only a study. I'm starting with watercolor and I intend to finish up with oil pastels. Originally, I just wanted a watercolor base for the pastel, but now I'm not sure when I'll switch over. I think I'll keep going in watercolor and just add deep values and white (I know, sacrilege). I also think oil pastels might work as a resist in more intricate paintings instead of masking...I'll have to try that too.
ooo, I like all your experimenting, Elaine. The wet marker one is like when Technicolor first came out in films. You really get the feeling of the battle with the rose bushes in your wc pencil sketch. And your rough sketch with oil pastels is pretty darn good, especially for being so small. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteYour stuff is great the week. I love experiments. I like how the bright colors contrast with the subject in the marker sketch. And I like the combo effect in the rose sketch. I just like the texture & energy that wc pencils add. You just can’t get that with regular watercolor — unless you’re Sargent or Homer...oil pastels are fun. Yeah they are like crayons. You were able to get a lot of texture in the shirt. I like the density of oil pastels too. I’ve wondered about using them with watercolor. Did you ever do black paintings in grade school - you draw jack o lanterns in crayons and then paint black around them? I loved those! Great start on the last painting...
ReplyDeleteNo, I never did those, but it sounds like fun—like super resist. I was also thinking oil pastels might be good for a scratchboard effect over watercolor. Lots of ideas here!
DeleteYou are driving me crazy with these new materials. I love the sketches. I have some watercolor pencils and have not been able to use them nearly as well but you have inspired me to try again.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about those markers. I remember those things we used in the Thursday class with the felt tips. Are these the same things only with paint in them. I like the oil pastel guy. He has kind of a German Expressionist vibe, though he seems to fade a bit when you get to his lower body. When I first came across oil pastels my first thought was adult crayons. I wonder about the last one. Is it going to be oil pastels in the foreground and watercolor in the background? Well too early to tell huh?
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