Demo as finished at the gallery

Demo after finishing in my studio

I had a great time at the gallery last Saturday doing my demonstration.  Attending were former, current and future pastel students, gallery colleagues and two friends from the Library of Congress. It was great!  The only downside was that the light wasn’t good and I was glad that I had done the study and had a preselected box of pastels  with me.  One thing I decided to change from the color study was the sky. My original was orange water color with a grayed green over it. For the demonstration I did a study with four colors of water color and light but not grayed colors on top.  I asked which I should use and the yellow was suggested. So I used that and was very pleased with the glow. It shows up better in the initial photo than in the second (taken in different lighting). Over this I lightly brushed greens, a little blue, and some very light red violet. With the yellow behind, it vibrates!  I worked REALLY quickly and this resulted in a fresh-looking but sometimes very unfinished painting (note the tree trunks at left in first photo.) A major change made in the final is that I cut off the roof at far left and ended the building, rather than continuing it off the edge. I much prefer this. Today I also worked on the right side of the picture–the front of the building, light fixture, and the road.  I decided to keep the colors of the painting in the road, not wanting to add a blued color that wouldn’t work. I realized that what I had almost looked like a wet surface after rain. Given the color of the sky it was possible (even though there probably hasn’t been any rain there for a long time!)  Still don’t have a title for it. I like the suggestions but haven’t had time to focus on it. Thanks to those who came. It was a great opportunity to share and discuss the flexibile nature and beauty of pastel.