This was another underpainting I did as an experiment with the Staedtler markers on 5" x 7" Ampersand pastelbord. (See the last picture.)
The big problem I had after I finished the underpainting was that the edges particularly in the background were much too hard and would have been difficult to overcome with just colored pencil.
Before throwing it in the trash I decided to try using my pastel pencils to paint over the psycho underpainting. It was great fun to be loose and free, as most of my work is very realistic. Even with the looseness and all of the color, it does have a value structure. (See the grayscale.)
When viewed up close this piece appears very textural and colorful, but when viewed from a distance of 8-10 ft the colors blend beautifully and it reads as a pear should.
13 comments:
Cindy,
I'm glad you didn't scrap this piece! Using the pastel pencils in this way was extremely creative, and it does still look realistic from afar (or letting my eyes blur), yet more interesting with all of the texture close up.
Hi Holly! Thanks for you remarks about it being "extremely creative". I like that much better than "Good grief, what was this girl thinking!" ;-)
I plan to do more of this style just because it is such a departure from my usual approach.
Hi Cindy,
I love the textural effect that your crosshatching strokes gave. I found it rather shocking to scroll down to see the underpainting that is underneath. Shocking in a good way though! I look forward to seeing more of these...perhaps a 'Psycho series'? :-)
Wow! It's pretty wild up close, but standing back (from the moniter) it reads really well from a distance. Nice!
Wow! I love the texture.
How did you decide to use the colors you used for the underpainting?
Despite not being what you were originally aiming for I have to say that this looks like a success to me Cindy.
It still has a unique realistic look to it and I love the looser pencil strokes and wild colour. Thank goodness you didn't scrap it!
Hi Regina! Thanks for taking the time to comment. As for the colors of the underpainting. The value (light or dark of the color) and the available colors in the set of markers is what determined the underpainting for the most part.
Or that was the plan. I got a little carried away in the background with the value range and the hard edges. That's when I decided that cp probably would not smooth it out.
Good question!
Thank you Teresa! I do have more planned with this approach. Maybe more of an "anti-anxiety" approach
;-)
Thanks Ambera! I appreciate your comments...please visit again.
Hi Rita! I didn't want to throw away a perfectly good board ;-)
Thanks so much for your comments!
I actually like the abstract and impressionistic look of this piece. The values are all there. Wonderful. Pieces like this make me want to sit and ponder. It's good to see you playing.
Do you prefer more realistic pieces?
I love the bright colors on this underpainting as well as the pepper. The piece is so alive with color and movement! I like your comment about how the colors blend when viewed at a distance. Artists strive for that quality!
Very interesting.
We'll have you coming over the side of the 'loose and painterly' before long! ;)
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