Saturday, April 7, 2018

Surprising Art Materials

Two new studies 
give me the opportunity 
to discuss materials.

Simplicity - pastel - Leslie Snider

In this first example I used automotive sand paper
along with my usual array of pastels,
the workhorses semi-hard
 (Nupastel and Rembrandt)
as well as soft pastels 
(Richeson, Sennelier, Schminke).





The auto sandpaper is inexpensive 
and works in a very similar manner
to the more expensive art sandpapers,
 it holds the soft pastel,
 allows for layering.
It is without the annoyance 
of the machine textured surface 
of some art papers. 

It's waterproof and durable,
great for sketching
Some might be concerned about longevity.
(I'm not!) 

Complexity - pastel - Leslie Snider
In this second example 
I used Richeson sanded paper 
(shale colour).
It is a pleasure to work with 
and has a few advantages,
larger size,
the ability to accept many layers.

It is difficult to see here 
but the second example
has a wider ranger
 of texture and detail.

Both papers have their uses 
and both are favourites.
I use other papers,
have and will discuss them
when relevant.

Finally a word about pastel storage.
As much as I admire 
those posh pochade boxes
I couldn't possibly be that organized!

But impressive isn't it!


Here's how I really work!
 Sushi trays stacked one on top of the other. 
They are cheap, disposable and easy to keep clean.
I have my favourite greens, blues, etc. 
on top as am too impatient 
to be constantly checking 
out the whole box.
If I need a variation 
I check the next layer down.

The colours I used for these pastels is on top.

Sushi Tray Storage

Hope this has been helpful
 or at least an interesting divergence!

Thursday, April 5, 2018

When you become
 a landscape (plein air) painter 
the weather becomes
 an essential component
 in your work.....
and this year's late spring
 is playing havoc
with my outdoor plans.

This study based on a field photo....
early morning and fog had descended, 
so I quickly grabbed the camera and off I went.

The subject matter is not glamorous
but the light effects were interesting.

Here the moisture laden air 
adds blue notes to the foliage
 and softens edges.


Foggy Field - pastel -  Leslie Snider

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Summer Scenes

Two studies looking at the effects  light
on the landscape.

This first is the beginning of day.

The foreground in shadow 
and the focal point
is the sun-kissed treeline 
in the background. 

Field in Shadow - Leslie Snider

This second pastel is midday.
Overcast 
and the humid air 
softening colours and edges.


Bonnechere 2018 - Leslie Snider

Similar colour schemes but used to 
different effect.

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Calm Before the Storm

The weather still isn't cooperating for outside work....
and another snow storm in the forecast....
so I'm working from my photos.

This quiet study is from a wet spring
we spent at Presquile Provincial Park.
Up early in the moisture laden air..
colour was muted and the air still.

Path to the Beach - Leslie Snider

And across the field
 I captured this group
 on their morning stroll.

Morning Stroll
 

Monday, February 26, 2018

Breaking the Rules....quietly...gently!

General art advice is 
"Don't paint every leaf on the tree." 
Why not?
 I ask!!
A Quiet Corner - Leslie Snider


This latest pastel takes it's inspiration 
from Claude Monet  
who knew a thing or two about painting.
His use of detail captures
 that shimmering quality of the leaves.

 

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Winter Scenes

I've finally succumbed to winter.......with a a couple of  sketches........ 
the first two on coloured drawing paper with pastel pencil/pastel.




Winter Scene -  Leslie Snider


Broken - Leslie Snider


This last a pastel on Uart400 paper.


Leslie Snider  - Winter
 

Thursday, February 1, 2018

The Battle for Supremacy

After the calm control of my last post
I decide to let loose with this pastel sketch
based on the autumn activity
 in my garden. 

As the weather turns frosty 
the virginia creeper turns bright red.
This sets up a colourful contrast 
with the vivid greens of the wild grape. 

Both have run rampant along my fenceline
engaging in a violent battle for supremacy....
who will win????

VC vs GV - Leslie Snider
A little about my process....
Usually I begin with black and white sketches 
to establish composition and colour values.



Here I was more spontaneous
allowing my reaction to the emerging shapes
 and colour relationships to dictate the composition. 



Finally the colour palette,
the majority Richeson pastels.
 

Marsh Scenes