memory painting

Underpainting possibilities are so numerous it's almost crazy! When I was shopping at Dakota Pastels I found this cool stuff called Liquid Spectrum- Concentrated Artist's Ink. Waterproof and intense  it proved to be an excellent first layer.  It easily layered with watercolor and then pastel. Playing is part of the job!
On another note I think painting from memory allows me to relish the materials even more!

new paper trial- colorfix suede

Another pastel possibility. I am experimenting with the intensity of the underpainting and what I can do with smoothing and texture. While I experiment for the fun of it I also create them as explorations for later oils. While head thinking an oil I want to know the possibilities of new underpainting.  In a way the pastel is a shortcut as it would take much longer to do the research with oil.
In addition this is a new paper. The people at Dakota Pastels sent me a piece of Colourfix Suede.  I like this paper and I am really fussy about paper. It takes the watercolor quite well and the taped paper didn't buckle a bit. In addition after the watercolor had dried it was easy to smooth the pastel with a finger.  A perfect mix of smooth and  rough the suede has  enough texture so that the pastel will rest on top and vibrate with the underpainting.
Here is what Dakota says,

NEW! ART SPECTRUM COLOURFIX SUEDE
Art Spectrum has added a new line of paper with a less abrasive surface to its family of archival quality pastel papers. The surface of Colourfix Suede is smoother or softer to the touch than the original Colourfix, so is gentler on fingers and tools, yet still holds layers of pastel. It works particularly well with PanPastel and Sofft Tools. The Suede is produced on a heavier weight (500gm) hot press watercolor paper for more rigidity. The surface coating also goes to the edge of the paper to help distinguish it from the original. Colourfix is available in eight colors - six new colors, black and white. The Rainbow Packs have the six colors plus two each of black and white.
We offer a sampler containing one 9 x 12" sheet of each of the 8 colors.
It's on sale at Dakota. Here is the link.

July 8, 2008 Songbird Paradise

9x12, pastel on paper
What a day it was! I treated myself to Riverbend today. It was a hot, sultry morning. The moist, thick air was filled with a medley of crickets and birds. All of a sudden a series of strong breezes/winds gusted by the river shores. Pooof! My umbrella took off, into the river. Filled with air it raced across the top like a skilled water-skier. Now, mind you this was the best umbrella set-up I have ever had and I am thankful that it was not attached to my easel. (It would have dumped over hundreds of dollars of pastels!) Was I going to stand and just watch this happen?!? No way. In the water I went, straight after that umbrella set-up. Well, that water got deeper and deeper, finally I was up to my chin. Then, I snagged that rascally, run-a-way umbrella. In the end I took home the umbrella, but unfortunately my cell phone was in my pocket and it did not like being submerged. Oh well, at least I didn't meet the snapping turtle head on!
Oh, as for the umbrella....if you are a plein air artist, it's called the Shadebuddy from Dakota Pastels (dakotapastels.com). It's the best!