Saturday, June 26, 2010

working subtractively

8x12 pastel on Twinrocker
As I work to create new field scenes  I made a small jump to Uncle Harold's farm. Making compositional adjustments I took out the mountains and added a lake or field in the distance. I know that I want something to gather distant light.
To create these studies I prefer to work subtractively. That means creating large shapes and erasing, sculpting my way through the pastel to create form. It allows me to make soft sections and lines in a way that is delicate. I used just one sepia colored pastel, rubbed it and erased. To erase so much you really need a tough paper. This is Twinrocker, hot press. The black was created by my erasing, not another pastel. This method is wonderful for just allowing the values to sing.

3 comments:

Donna T said...

What is it about these monochromatic pieces that is so appealing? It's like we are free to imagine any kind of color scheme or atmosphere each time we look at it. I was wondering why you use the Twinrocker paper for some work and the BFK for others. Now I know! I like your idea of adding a field or lake in the distance. Any excuse to repeat the sky color somewhere is a good one!

Casey Klahn said...

I clicked the image to make it bigger - thanks for posting it large. The sweep of gesture is wonderful - masterful.

loriann signori said...

Hi Donna, I like your thoughts as to my the monochromatic pieces are appealing. Leaves it to the imagination...doesn't that say something about what we should be doing in full color????
As for Twinrocker or Rives. BFK softer and twinrocker is tougher, takes more abuse. So I guess it depends which is the feeling of the day. Smoother sailing (bfk) or more torment (twinrocker) Oh, twinrocker also takes watercolor so that would negate everything.

Hi Casey, glad you liked the BIG view!