Exercise 5: Now a repeat the above exercise using side of pastel sticks only on gray La Carte paper. This ¼ size piece is perfect size for these strokes. Be bold in you stokes.

Goal: Learn to make more expressive strokes. Again if you pastel crumbles get a new peice.

Demonstration!

Why side strokes?

Answer: By using the sides we can keep the surface "painterly" and keep from being distracted by fussy details and "overworking" the composition. On "finished" paintings I add detail to the center of interest that blends in with the rest of the work. I also will blend areas that eliminate the strokes especially for a soft backgrounds.

This can also be used on an otherwise "dead" area to enliven it

Note: This is not the "right" way to use pastels but one that keep us loose and fresh.

Tip:

Keep alternating the direction of the stroke to add interest to areas.

Add yellow/orange, yellow, and light yellow to the top of the earth tone column

Don’t worry about fingerprints on your paper, they are better than a signature

If you must try and remove a mark try a stiff brush followed by a needed erase ..good luck!