My Dog In Pastels

My Dog In Pastels

by Sandra
(UK)

My Dog In Pastels

This is my dog Codi.

I used soft pastels to draw her. I made the most of her keeping still for a change whilst she was lying in the sun and did a few small sketches. I then made some colour notes, and I also took some photos to refer to.

I was really pleased with this drawing until I sprayed it with fixative - I used far too much and the whole picture lost its vibrance! Still, another lesson learned!

***Note from Kerry:
Hi Sandra, I remember the sketch you did of Cody, here it is:
Sleeping Dog, and I instantly recognized her! This is a lovely picture of her. Well done!

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My Dog In Pastels

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Oct 30, 2009

Hairspray
by: Bella

Hi Sandra,
I really like your dog picture. It's very good.
It's a known fact that the spray makes the colour sink into the paper. If you use black and white pastels only, it's not quite as bad. What you can do is, as you draw and are happy with what you are doing, you then spray a bit and then continue drawing. So you are actually layering your pastels and the spray. Light colour sink in the most. You can also use hairspray, which is a good alternative, it's also cheaper and I feel it does a better job.
Wish you all the best with more pastel work.
Bella

Oct 22, 2009

Thankyou
by: Sandra Busby

Yes - that is a great tip, thank you so much! So you mean spray the back of the paper? I am guessing if that's what you mean that you would have to use quite alot so the paper absorbs the fixative - am I right? Your tips are very much appreciated.

Oct 21, 2009

Great tip!
by: Kerry

Hi Ranji,
Thank you very much for sharing such a handy tip! That is something I will always remember now, and I'll think of you when I use it. Thanks again!

Oct 21, 2009

My dog in pastels
by: Rajni{uk}

You had problem with fixing with a spray.It is a common error.The best way to fix is by spraying from the other side so that the lowest layer of the pastel pigment will absorb enough to bind the upper layers.This was a hint given by my painting tutor. Regards Rajni (UK}