Macaw Pastel Pencil Painting Feedback

Sherrie has sent me her picture of a Macaw she has just completed using Pastel Pencils and has asked me for a few tips on how to improve the painting, in particular the colour tones. Sherrie has done a really good job of this portrait but I agree that with a few tweaks it could be even better.The first thing that strikes you when you compare the paining to the reference photo is the lack of depth, this can be adjusted by simply adding stronger tones to bring out the 3D look. Let me start by suggesting that the area of the face, neck ruffle and beak are tackled first, by strengthening these areas the remaining tones over the whole animal would have to follow suit. I am not sure if Sherrie is using Faber-Castell Pitt pastel pencils therefore I will mention the Pitt colour numbers together with the colour description. I would apply Payne’s grey (181) to add strength to the beak and ruffle but only in the very darkest areas seen in the reference picture, this can the be followed by a touch of black (199). This would immediately add dimension to the image, then continue using the 181 on the dark markings on the face and eye. This same colour can be added to other darker areas of the blue feathers.Another area that would benefit from darkening is the green feathers on the top of the head, see black arrow. Again 181 could be used her with a strong viridian green (267) added on top of the 181, if this does not prove dark enough then a touch of 199 black could be used again this needs to have the 267 applied back on top.The yellow feathers are going to be the more difficult to strengthen but using a deep orange (113) tone with a touch of 186 terracotta, burnt sienna (283) would also help in the very darkest areas.Sherrie could also add a touch of 267 to the blue feathers as this tone can be seen on the reference picture, see red circles.Become a member to learn how to use pastel pencils and get feedback on your paintings.