You've heard the expression "Color gets the credit but value does all of the work"? It's true! You can see how value carries this painting along and gives the shapes their meaning and place, despite their color. This painting was rendered from a black and white photo using a playful limited value palette.
We are rapt whenever Kitty paints demos. She starts with a pigment dispersions to create with wet media under painting that becomes her value map. Once it's dry, she adds pastel marks to the top. Her first question when she start with the pastel is: "Now, what do I need correct?" That's where she starts with pastel.
This is my second painting today, done from my own photo reference. I made big mistakes with the under painting and then muddled my way through the rest of the painting. Sigh. Still so much to learn!
6 comments:
Lucky you to take a workshop with such a maestro! many many years ago I worked exclusively in soft pastel, and my favourite artist (and paper), of course, was Kitty Wallis!I would scrutinize every mark and stroke..And good for you gleaning so much with both mediums..beautiful work--especially liked your oil brushwork in previous posts.
BTW, had to close my blog but have started another--really hope you will continue to follow me! new addy is: http://janyates.blogspot.com/
Kvan, thanks for sharing the photos from Kitty's workshop--I really love how she is wearing two pair of glasses--lol! Your paintings both reflect strong values-looks to me like you really got what she is always saying...value is everything!
I thought yesterday's river image was very much influenced by Kitty - so good and clear. You are growing into a solid, fabulous pastelist and artist.
Lucky you to take this workshop.
Interesting to switch both pictures of Kitty back and forth. She probably only has to switch pairs of glasses.
Glad you got to be at the workshop. Your work shows the influence of good teachers.
Have fun Katherine! I'm thinkin' You're thinkin' about ending the workshop with another bunch of new pastels!
Jan -- thanks for the comments! I think I've made the change to your blog address on my blog list, but click it to make sure!
Celeste-- the glasses are GREAT!
Casey -- whoa! Thanks so much for the encouraging comments. Kitty is a wonderful mentor and I am lucky to have her in my life.
Sam -- good teachers are a blessing, bad ones a curse. I have been fortunate to have more of the former than the latter.
Carrie -- I won't be making pastels this time, but I'm sure the class will have a great time on Sunday!
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