Painting on a Colored Surface
June 19, 2007
I love beginning my pastel paintings with an underpainting of pastel washed with turpenoid, but sometimes I like to skip that stage and work on a single-color surface.
I’ve been more excited about this approach since the new Richeson Premium Pastel Surface became available a few months ago. I’m particularly fond of the terra cotta (though I love the other colors as well), and especially like to use it when my subject is predominantly green. The texture allows practically infinite layering of pastels, though allowing some of the surface color to show is a nice way to create harmony in the painting.
On the weekends, my husband, artist Bill Canright (www.BillCanright.com) and I go hiking, usually in the nearby Sandia Mountains. It’s mostly for exercise, but I carry my camera in case I see potential painting subjects.
On the southern crest trail a few days ago, this lovely bend in the trail caught my eye.
Back home, I decided on a small format, 9x12, and the terra cotta Richeson surface. I did a minimal sketch with a yellow NuPastel, then moved quickly into the subject.
I like the way bits of the surface color shows through here and there, the interplay of red against green bringing life to what could have been a boring study. The texture of the path is enhanced by allowing the reds to show through, and the finished painting accurately reflects my experience of the reality.