Pastel for still life paintings
Pastel is a unique medium. Using pastel sticks and pencils, we are applying pure pigment to the surface. I love pastel because it is the bridge between drawing and painting. I haven’t published many of my pastel paintings because they are difficult to photograph. This pastel still life paintings of vegetables and nature elements were done for my private art classes. Many people want to master drawing nowadays. Not trace and copy but learn being able to naturally draw.
Great start for good results
Drawing is very tough to teach since for the most part, people don’t see what’s important for drawing, as well are hesitant to put in efforts and practice. First step is to learn seeing, then we start developing our line work, after that we learn what’s important in painting, like recognizing values, applying contrast, shadows and so forth. Still life paintings in pastel are a fantastic starting point. I use pastel surface in dark grey and advise my students to do the same. That covers the darkest values already and is much friendlier surface than white. The same goes for acrylic painting.
Medium which doesn’t expire
Pastel still life paintings allow for many layers of pigments. That’s one more great feature: we build up the value and color as we go. I use Gallery and Faber Castell pencils and pastel sticks, as well as Conte pastel pencils. Each one has its application and suits for one or another step. I don’t have any specific tools and don’t use extra expensive pastel surfaces. All of this I had bought some 15 or more years ago. I love the pure colors of Conte pencils and subdued tones of my Faber Castell pencils. Gallery provides with pastel sticks in different sizes and numerous very attractive colors.
Layering for values and contrast
My process of using pastel pencils is exactly the same what for other medium. Dark surface, quick sketch, stronger values and darker tones first, after that I layer in lighter colors defining the shapes at the same time. The more layers, the more beautiful and saturated the pastel painting looks. Vegetable still life painting is a wonderful subject. Choose whatever you prefer and in whatever color or shape. We don’t have to limit ourselves with just peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, there are lots of attractive shapes out there in the most wonderful colors.
Choice of subject
Still life paintings in pastel look gorgeous whatever items we use. The giving hands of nature was combined during the class since my student needed to paint hands and so we just filled them in with stuff from a magazine cover. Well, we just used it for inspiration, but added different colors and shapes. The herbal teacup was a nightmare to take picture of. iPhone camera changed the perspective so that it looked all wrong. The actual paintings are fantastic, and as you know no photo can ever compare to the original painting.
Summer subjects
Still life paintings in pastel are one the greatest summer subjects also. I cannot travel much because of the chronic pain which has worsened during the last year notably. Therefore, I use what I see around and paint in all kinds of combinations which are endless. I disagree that still life is boring. It’s the best way to teach about the multiple aspects and principles of painting also. These principles are all the same whether you paint buildings, faces, figures, flowers or landscapes.
Still life paintings which matter
I hope you will love my still life paintings, as well as the Giving hands of nature. It was almost impossible to take pictures of them. Well, at least the idea will be visible. Hands painting is huge, very hard to take pictures of. Each week I will feature one painting which goes for a lot less than usually. It will be available on Special offers page:
Learn pastel painting in private art classes:
Also, still life paintings are most frequently sold as prints: Still life paintings available as prints
I hope your summer is fantastic!
Well written, wonderful post! These are all beautiful, love them💖
Thanks very much Maria!
It took me so long to post this because it took about 14 art classes to demonstrate these. The hands painting is very large, like very, and while it looks the same size, I could no way get a picture. The cup, too, camera changed the perspective and it hardly ever looked like original.
Anyway, I’m happy with these!
I hope you’re staying busy and enjoying summer!
I have a hard time with the photos too sometimes, they don’t always do the art justice. But everything turned out great! Staying very busy 💖
I know. Nowadays cameras are designed to enhance and automatically alter reality, therefore, to get a true photo of art is a big task.
To be honest, I’ve never gotten any good pictures once the old camera stopped working.
Well, I’m trying.
Good to know you’re busy.
First day of summer, I hope it’s nice to you!
I just love the vibrancy and color of your art Inese! They really touch my heart and bring the perfect color therapy that inspires and makes one feel joy.
Thanks so much Tania Marie!
I think I can agree 100%. Bright and pure colors make us happy.
My students enjoyed these classes so much that they cannot stop attending them.
There will be more pastels, but these ones are from which I got somewhat satisfactory pictures.
Pastel is a fantastic medium, I doubt any other compares to it. Maybe oils, but I’m allergic to oils.
I have checked your posts yet, but I will, there must be plenty of nice pictures and info.
I hope you’re meeting summer solstice in great mood!
You’re welcome! What a wonderful reflection of the kind of space and experience you create for your students to enjoy. To have that kind of feedback where students love your classes so much and continue returning is a huge compliment and gift. How wonderful for you all! Wishing you a beautiful Summer Solstice! Sending warm wishes your way <3
I suppose the students who have realistic expectations understand that learning is a process and cannot be done in one sitting.
Thanks for summer solstice wishes, I hope you have a great Summer Solstice!
Beautiful colours, Inese. I especially like the way the light seems to shine down on the peppers.
Thanks very much Jo-Anne!
I wish I could show the real things to you, but the strong red and green, etc colors allowed to get a clear and bright picture.
Maybe I overloaded this post with pictures, but it was so long coming that I couldn’t resist. Pastel is a fantastic medium, but it takes quite a while. I know hands don’t look that great on photo, but I’m very happy with the original. It is very large, bigger than normal acrylic paintings, but unfortunately I couldn’t get even 1 true picture.
I love pastels, but I never posted any images because it’s abnormally difficult to take pictures of them.
I am happy with the results and I hope you’re doing great judging by some Facebook posts.
All the best!
Love these wonderful still life creations Inese. And no you didn’t overload the post with pictures.. I had to learn how to layer by trial and error.. I didn’t have a teacher like you to guide me.. Also I find when I take photos the colours and shades never are true.. the light of a room makes such a difference ..
I will share some of my pastel pictures…https://suedreamwalker.wordpress.com/art-and-hobbies/pastel-drawings/ I think I improved later with my animal pictures 🙂 lol..
I really enjoyed reading Inese… thank you…
Much love your way my friend <3
Your pastels are very nice. I know it takes so much time. Each one is done with love and care.
I don’t paint any animals now since very many people do that, but also I prefer that I don’t need a picture. Well done, and certainly the more we learn seeing, the better our art becomes. What each one of us can see is always unique.
Picture taking is always troublesome for me because I don’t have much room and also the light isn’t good enough for photos. Along with that, there are no very sharp lines with pastel, at least I don’t have such pencil which is able to do sharp lines. Camera cannot see colors correctly because the image automatically becomes warm or cold. As a rule, painting has both, cold shades and warm shades for more effect.The most I hate distortion of perspective, though, like I couldn’t get a decent image of cup.
I’m glad, though, people like you enjoy reading this post and possibly extract some new information for themselves.
Thanks a lot!
Thank you Inese I aways take away knowledge and beauty from your art my friend . Thank you 😊
I saw a landscape picture once on your blog. It would be ideal to paint, I cannot remember which post exactly, but if you don’t mind I’d use it as abase for some art. Not sure watercolor, acrylic or pastel, I suppose I’d change it so that it wouldn’t look like picture, but the cool colors and tree shapes were nice.
When I choose something to paint, I don’t aim for exact reality. I sometimes love the spots of colors or combinations thereof, that type of thing.
We always learn and that’s how it should.
Happy Summer Solstice day to you!
Any landscape you see on my blog feel free Inese to use.. you are more than welcome xx
Thanks very much! So far I was interested in one, it looked like something which asks to be painted. Maybe you’ll recognize it. Or maybe not if I change some things around. Anyway, I have your permission and that’s great.
I do have a few of my own pictures which I intend to paint or turn into artwork, but that sometimes takes years until I get to the actual painting.
Very happy about this day, we have a beautiful weather, too.
I hope you’re fine and once again, I trust, the summer will be good to you!
Thank you Inese… It was my husbands birthday today… So we had a lovely day together today… And again you are most welcome.. xx <3 Enjoy the rest of your week also xx
Oh, what a great occasion on such a great day! Certainly, that’s the way to start the summer.
All the best!
We had a lovely day thank you xx
I thought so.
The Latvian midsummer night is tomorrow, there’s probably some celebrating where you are, some traditions, too around this time.
Latvian midsummer is the most gorgeous celebration with wreaths, oak for men and flower wreaths for women, and dancing, singing, beer, special foods, especially caraway seed cheese and so on. I soooo miss that. There is a Latvian community in Toronto, but the summer place is far away. The few years we went, it wasn’t like in Latvia at all. I don’t know, I might make some special food.
All the best to you!
Nature celebrations are the best 😊 people forget we are connected to nature first and foremost.
In love and gratitude Inese xx
Have a great weekend to come x
Thank you!
I wish you the same!
💖💕💖
These paintings are so pretty, Inese. I love the strong colors and forms and the objects seem almost palpable. In my mind’s eye, I’m picking up that cup and taking a sip. 😊☕
Thank you so much!
Well, I posted never before any of pastel paintings because I just didn’t seem to be able get a decent pictures of them. To be honest, we never see the grain of paper like IPhone camera can, so it’s a bit disturbing.
I’m very happy to hear that they look right to you when you see them on whatever device you’re using.
It certainly lifts my moods, always when somebody can see the true intention of painting.
I hope you have a wonderful first day of summer!
Beautiful artwork! Enjoy your summer, Inese.
Many Blessings
Lisa
Thank you very much!
We have a lousy weather for a few weeks, but still – summer is summer, I love it.
I wish you also great summer and opportunities to do things you love most!
Thanks! 🙂
You are welcome!
Nice !
Thanks!
I am slowly catching up and enjoying your lovely work, Inese. The images are restful and healing.
Pastel is a unique medium. It works with me and my students, who love drawing and drawing-based art.