Hard pastel underpainting

The color decisions for this piece were a little tricky. The rocks are basically gray–not a color I relate to very well! I like the warmth of the sky and violets in upper left, and the warm color reflecting in the water. I also like the opportunity to introduce warmer, richer color in the foreground. For the rocks, I decided to use a light cool green to represent the warm sunlit areas, with some light brown added. This will give me a lovely darker, cooler surface over which to apply the warmer lighter pastel. I also used blue greens in the trees. Basically the underpainting is in blue green, blue violet, and warm orangy browns.

In order to maintain my composition, I lay the board flat and applied the alcohol with a smallish brush. I was basically trying to tone the surface. Sometimes it washed away!  However, I think I’ve retained the basic structure and feel of the painting and now can take my time with applying the pastel, beginning at the top and working down.  I will work both from the black and white and color photos, as needed.

Students have asked me about whether they should be working on all parts at once. I think it depends on the painting. However, when I’ve done an underpainting like this, I know where I’m going and I feel comfortable working slowly in one area. Then I’ll go back and add colors, as needed, to avoid isolated color (this is the fun part!).  But, I think that if you rush at this point, you may jeopardize the success of the painting. We’ll see!!!

Hard pastels in violets, greens and browns. Brands: Polychromos, Richeson, NuPastel