Tips for Using Soft Pastel

Janet has sent me her painting of the Prowling Tiger project and has asked for a few tips on how she could have improved this picture. I have to say that there is very little I can say as Janet has done a remarkable job on this tricky subject.

It was definitely a challenge and by the time I had finished the background I was in a real mess, black everywhere.

This leads me to the first tip, Janet has used soft pastel to fill in the background including the dreaded black; which I did recommend in the instructions. This really does get everywhere but the black soft pastel is why this painting works out as well as it has.The secret is to apply just a little on the background then rub this in with your finger, add a little more and again rub this in. Continue doing this until you have covered the whole of the background area. By restricting the amount placed onto the background helps to keep it under control.Janet has also fallen into the trap of ‘regimenting’ the grass. It’s as if someone has shouted ATTENTION and all the blades have followed suit. What you need to do in a situation like this is to be mindful that you have to deliberately follow a random pattern. This is easier said than done though, but practicing this technique on spare paper would help. To help you see what I mean study the grass on Janet’s painting and compare it to the original.If Janet was really brave she could rework the grasses in this area following as closely as she can my original painting.To learn how to draw this picture using pastel pencils and soft pastels, sign up to our pastel courses.