ten things about using pastels
1. Wallis paper is the best thing ever.
2. If you use Wallis paper, *do not* blend with your bare fingers. You can sand your fingertip off; trust me on this.
3. Get magical impasto effects by pushing pigment around using a brush dipped in water (do this only on paper that can support water, like Wallis; water will destroy vegetable fiber papers).
4. Get beautiful layered glazing and watercolor effects by mixing pastel dust in acrylic liquid matte medium and applying with a brush.
5. Clean up and sharpen dirty old stomps in an old electric pencil sharpener.
6. Get subtle color effects in white by rubbing your (clean) fingers or stomp on the pastels to pick up pigment, then place color on your surface by lightly tapping your fingertips on it.
7. Prevent your hands from cracking and drying out: hand lotion + a shop towel makes cheap wipes for quick cleanup.
8. Don’t blow pastel dust off your drawing unless you want to give yourself and everyone else lung cancer. To clear the dust, tap the side of your drawing against a hard surface (like the edge of a trash can).
9. Micaceous iron oxide as a ground (acrylic binder, painted on whatever surface you want) is the other best thing ever.
10. Latex gloves are nice to keep your hands clean. You can get them at the hardware store for around $4. The bad-ass shop gloves construction worker-themed box costs $1 more than the creepy medical supply-themed box, and may be worth it for when your friends come over and quietly yet suspiciously eye your pastels supplies.
January 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 am
Could you explain what micaceous iron oxide is and where i could find, and best brand name? And also just how you use it? Thanks!