The Painterly Portrait On Black - Part Two

[@donnamartell9056]

Excellent, Alain! You caught her beautifully! It's always a joy to watch you work!

[@louiseeves4862]

Alain, I have been following you for sometime and get regular emails. I love your talent and your gift of sharing with others techniques. Your ability to be loose with your strokes as you build into detail is inspiring. I am a pastelist as well however I tend to get bogged down with detail too early in the earlier stages of the painting. Thank you for demonstrating your style. Beautiful. Louise.

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Louise Eves, thanks for the kind words! I'm glad you are learning and enjoying the lessons. It can take a while to learn how to stay focused on the big shapes and the impression over detail, but it will come in time. Keep painting and you will find your way soon! All the best

[@lauramarrow7411]

Alain, you did a beautiful job on this sweet little girl! I love your painterly approach!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Laura, so glad you enjoyed!

[@auri9487]

Wow what a gift to have this video of amazing instruction!! Thank you very much, greatly beneficial to me

[@AlainPicard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leighsirvent654]

It’s stunning! I love her character.

[@petergamble6318]

That's some top drawer painting Alain -- thanks for taking us along. I always go face-first with a portrait and now I'm inspired to go face-last.

[@enquery]

Your a true gem, Alain. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Blessings.💫✨💫

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Maureen! It's a real pleasure to share with you!

[@vduron1]

I absolutely loved this demo. More please! What a beautiful child and you captured her spirit perfectly!

[@AlainPicard]

vduron1 thanks so much! Thats a really nice compliment! Appreciate it!

[@anitabeck1833]

I discovered you yesterday, and am so grateful for this ! You are such an incredible artist ... and your sharings of your immense talent are just fantastic. Many many thanks... I am happy to follow you 🙏🎨🌈

[@lauradunne1949]

Masterful! As soon as our post-COVID lives resume I’m taking a class with you Monsieur Picard!

[@karensambrookes5743]

This was such an amazing painting to watch. I too was waiting for part 2 with enthusiasm. Thanks for sharing your talent and process.

[@AlainPicard]

Karen Sambrookes you are very welcome! Its a joy to share the creative process with you all.

[@dulcieogilvie5786]

A pleasure to watch. Purchased your book today too..drawing is something I need all the help I can get.

[@larkspurlt]

Beautiful portrait!

[@natalieanderson7732]

A wonderful portrait. It was instructive and inspiring.

[@eleonorlight2073]

This is amazing ❤

[@margaretpollard5507]

Absolutely AWESOME. loved this and love listening to you. You are very talented and very calming. Superb thanks.

[@AlainPicard]

I appreciate your kind remarks, so glad you enjoyed! Keep painting

[@SockMonkeyofcourse]

Just stupendous!

[@elsajones1218]

The way your hands dance while you are painting! I was mesmerized. Thank you, Alan, for the time you put into this demo.

[@AlainPicard]

Elsa Jones thanks, i don’t think I’ve heard that comment before! Its quite a dance, the painting process. All the best to you!

[@nikkiswenson54]

So beautiful!

[@rmc9076]

Just beautifully done ! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us on mark making . I’ve always wanted to be more loose in pastels never understood how. Your teaching was spot on !

[@AlainPicard]

so happy to share with you, enjoy and may this help you become looser and bolder in your mark making!

[@RanchoZabara]

Watched this with great interest and very impressed with your portrayal of what is a foreshortened face (I wrestle with that). The luminosity you achieved in the face light, the restraint you used in not painting "teeth" but instead a shape are all lessons that take many years to understand. A very masterful work. You did justice to your beautiful young model and captured the rich color of her skin and the innocence of the subject. Black subjects have such a wide range of color and this one with the rich purples and oranges was so easy to get wrong if not highly skilled. Thanks for another great demo. I'm becoming a big fan of your work.

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Max, thanks for enjoying one of my favorite subjects. Painting the dark skin tones is such a joy, with rich and beautiful colors and unexpected highlights. I relish the opportunity. I hope you'll keep painting, and I'm honored to be an encouragement to you! All the best

[@karenzywina8064]

You are a master pastelist

[@Milaartistique]

*Absolutely enjoyable! And I learned a lot. Thank you for sharing your video. You are the best!*

[@Jessielude]

So glad to see the rest of this video.

[@AlainPicard]

Jessica Shippee glad you liked it!

[@cnbowles1]

Thank you so much again and you divulged some of your tricks...indeed we are lucky...😊

[@AlainPicard]

Cindy Bowles it is a joy to share the creative process with people like you. So glad you found it helpful!

[@denisegrossman3840]

Wow!! You nailed it, Alain. That dk red on the nose was like magic it totally transformed her face. I want to draw and paint just like you when I grow up as a painter!! Thank you so generous

[@bobbyvenedam]

Thank you so much Alain for sharing your teachings. It was such a pleasure to watch you bring this beautiful little one to life. I have learned so much and you have inspired me to "give it a go" with pastels. :)

[@AlainPicard]

Bobby Venedam you’re very welcome and I am thrilled to hear you will give pastels a try! All the best to you!

[@josephineherrera8508]

Great job!

[@BabsHaake]

Such a lovely painting! I loved the way you explain your every stroke. Thank you for a wonderful lesson.

[@AlainPicard]

You are welcome Babs. I am glad you enjoyed it!

[@lowen838]

So helpful. I’ve had to pause the video and really think through your comments on the eyes, especially working back and forth - not finishing one then doing the other. Also, as a beginner, the “light” finally dawned today- It’s not always about putting every detail in, instead it can be about cutting in with another color to create an impression. I’m learning. Thank you.

[@AlainPicard]

Yes you are! Thanks for the comment, and sharing your insights. What would you say is the greatest challenge for you as a beginner working with portraits?

[@lowen838]

I would say the greatest challenge so far is proportion, so really appreciated how you used the surroundings (blouse, banana leafs, etc) to help measure ear and eye placements, plus am starting to better understand the effectiveness of layering colors. Black isn’t always just black!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks for the reply. It's always helpful to understand the unique challenges being faced, so I can speak to them in future painting videos. Proportion is an important skill to learn, and well worth the work! I used to draw more at first, then paint it in, but as I've matured, I enjoy building and sculpting with the pigment. Practice drawing alot to strengthen this skill of identifying proportions!

[@cynthiakourisdittoe4991]

Absolutely beautiful! You’re very kind to share your techniques and use of pastel in portrait. It was so helpful to me and surely others. Thank you for sharing your incredible gift as an artist.

[@AlainPicard]

Cynthia, thank you for appreciating and expressing your thanks! It's a joy to share with artists like you. I really hope this encourages your creative development and provides inspiration to you!

[@janetkelsey7663]

this was a joy to watch...Thank you, Alain!

[@AlainPicard]

You're welcome Janet, thanks for watching! Are you a portrait artist?

[@blackimangel]

Marvelous!!!! Very nice, and you're voice is pleasant as your paintings. I'm learning pastels and definitely you'll be one of my virtual teacher. Thank you for sharing!!!!!

[@AlainPicard]

Black Angel thanks for your comment. So glad that I can help you grow as an artist. All the best to you!

[@christiekeele1382]

I absolutely LOVE this!! Thank you!

[@AlainPicard]

Awesome thanks!

[@Idahadleyart]

I loved this. Very motivating

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Tammy

[@heathersmith4698]

I would love to see a video of you working on a thumbnail sketch while addressing the different values.

[@FrancileneSouza-r8d]

Superb!!❤

[@pickyperson9318]

Love this portrait.

[@lindakopec7036]

Nicely done. Love the colours. Did you ever step away and look at your painting again. Seems to me that the sketch and the painting both had the chin a little too long and the jaw not quite wide enough. Is that correct or was I imagining it? Kinda made the shoulders a bit narrow. The painting looked like a woman in her early 20s. Interesting to see the layering.

[@nancymaragkaki9435]

this is pure awesomeness, thank you Alain! Do you do online courses for painterly portraits with soft pastels please? I would be very interested! Thank you !

[@AlainPicard]

I sure do Nancy, thanks! So glad you enjoyed this. I have a live workshop coming up next week, here's a link to join, and it's FREE! learn.picardstudio.com/workshop-spring-2022

[@nancymaragkaki9435]

@@AlainPicard thank you so much Alain! I really appreciate!I'm afraid I am 7 hours ahead and with work it will be hard to watch it properly but will try! If you have any other recorded courses, I'm happy to pay for the one I want :)

[@AlainPicard]

@@nancymaragkaki9435 hey if you register for this workshop, I will send you a replay video that you can watch for a limited time, so the time issue doesn't have to be a deal breaker. I hope you can join!

[@nancymaragkaki9435]

@@AlainPicard aw.. that's so nice of you, I can't thank you enough, that would be awesome! I have registered already, thank you so much!!!!🙏 I hugely appreciate it !!!

[@rutbrea8796]

Another wonderful job! Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Do you spray a varnish, fixative on your painting after you finish them? I was wondering, because I have tried Pastels and the paint comes off easily if not sprayed.

[@wieswarnders6501]

Absolutely beautiful

[@rhondawillington9214]

Thank you Alain for this great tutorial. Love your painterly style and the feeling you put into your paintings. I have always had trouble with proportions so I’ll definitely be looking at buying your book “Beginning Drawing” ❤️👍🏻

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Rhonda, you're welcome! Glad you enjoyed this. I wish you the very best in your development, I'm here to help!

[@joshmercer1438]

Been waiting for this one! Loved it

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Josh! I am glad you loved it!

[@BeezeeCohen]

Your work is extraordinarily beautiful! I admire the process you use to develop your subjects. Just enough detail, not literal. I paint in watercolor so am unfamiliar with pastels. Please describe the preparation of your board. What type of tape do you use to secure the paper? Perhaps you have another tutorial with the very basics for those us just starting out in pastels.

[@partingmist8550]

In this demo he is using the uart sanded board in which the sanded surface and the board are already together. When it comes to securing your lose sanded paper to board you might be interested in this technique. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2WXmKSDf7eaq5I I am also new to pastels and I plan on using this method to secure the paper to foam core board. I like this idea since it is possible to replace the board in the future if need be.

[@christiekeele1382]

Awesome video! Thank you so much!

[@AlainPicard]

You're very welcome Christie! Glad you enjoyed.

[@janewineinger1569]

Alain, you missed her eyeteeth, which makes her smile more child-like. She is lovely, and her background, blouse and headdress are charming. What a model.

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks so much for the great observation!

[@pizalez8851]

Me encanta como pinta. Que lástima que no tenga los subtitulado en español. Gracias

[@martinevallee5340]

Thank's a lot, It's a great gift!

[@AlainPicard]

You are very welcome Martine. Enjoy!

[@webpunkdev]

outstanding

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks so much Webpunk!

[@suzypastel5206]

Magnifique!!!!!!!😍💕

[@scripturaltruth7636]

Beautiful

[@Leo_Ju]

🤩Amazing💖

[@AlainPicard]

Thank you very much!

[@tibebuadmassie7058]

You are unbelivebel instructer.

[@AlainPicard]

That's very kind, I'm honored. Thanks Tibebu

[@jamesholder13]

Thank you for this awesome demo!

[@AlainPicard]

James Holder you are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mabelolivotto3645]

Hola desde Argentina quisiera saber le pone fijador ha sus obras?????

[@milliesimic6233]

Thankyou so much.

[@AlainPicard]

You are welcome Millie.

[@violetbertolino1774]

do you spray your finished paintings with something? or not?

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Violet, typically I do NOT spray them. I work on excellent sanded paper so it has great adhesion without spraying. When I do want to spray that final layer once every 40 paintings, I use LASCAUX FIXATIV for its excellent quality.

[@AlainPicard]

Hope that helps!

[@adamsaoud7191]

this is amazing video thank u so much w i enjoyed every second just wanna know why u dont use ur finger to mix the colors just asked to know the advantage of ur way to do this its awesome way for sure just please i wanna know

[@AlainPicard]

Hi Adam, I just answered your question over on the sunset video, but basically I resist using my fingers until absolutely necessary since the oils of our hands diffuses the vibrancy of pastel colors. I do blend with my fingers a bit, mostly at the end. But I try to keep it to a minimum so the painting will sparkle. Hope that helps

[@pablomiezavarela8358]

Belloooooooooooooooooo.Thank You.

[@AlainPicard]

Pablo Mieza Varela thank you so much! And you are very welcome.

[@ArtandKitchen_]

Amazing!

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Mara!

[@MrJairo3259]

Very difcult guy !!!👏👏👏

[@AlainPicard]

Francisco Jairo thanks!

[@çizimyap]

Hello.. Very nice drawing. I've been recording and reporting.. If you'd like that.

[@蓉蓉蓉-z9h]

可以翻譯成中文？期待❤

[@AlainPicard]

I am not sure!

[@katehobbs2008]

Shape of the cheek to chin on left side is wrong, too narrow, loses that child shape and makes her look older. But love the painting and learned a lot

[@judylavenue3445]

To me it looks like you lost the fullness of her face and made the chin too sharp making her look older.

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks Judy, you can see the final final painting here and see what you think. www.cecilbyrnegallery.com/products/african-princess-by-alain-picard All the best!

[@diegosanchez8393]

Maybe Judy, but the end result is wonderful. In any case the idea should not be to replicate the photograph exactly. What for? It has already been executed.

[@judylavenue3445]

DIEGO SANCHEZ final painting perfect with the criticism I made corrected. Beautiful result.

[@AlainPicard]

Thanks @@judylavenue3445 and Diego, I think it's exciting how we can continue to sculpt and form the portrait, correcting and adjusting toward the finish. It wouldn't be the first time I had major adjustments that needed improving for an acceptable finished work! Thanks for the conversation.

[@glenelgin2979]

When I tapped on the address y