Create Your Own Pastel Painting Journal - EASY and FUN!

[@monetcafe]

Do you ever wish you could take your pastel painting on the go, but considered it to be too messy or challenging? Well, then you will LOVE this tutorial where I share my easy and affordable way to create your own pastel painting travel journals. I love sketching with pastels in this way and preserving many of life's moments in painting journals like this. Come join me and let me know what you think!

[@ashwini_b_h]

Susan! You are an amazing artist. Thanks for sharing these techniques that you try. They look just beautiful with pastel colours.

[@monetcafe]

Awwww…. ☺️☺️☺️ bless you!

[@karenleah1477]

Beautiful. I love the colors and vibrancy. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @karenleah1477! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@christineingram55]

Just beautiful 🥰

[@monetcafe]

Thank you! 😊

[@veronicagreen6180]

Great video, I will definitely give a try w the pastels..thank you.take care

[@ira1738]

hello Susan! I've only recently started painting with soft pastels solely because of your channel. your videos are always so informative and beginner-friendly. I really appreciate that you offer other affordable art supplies. the way you paint is so mesmerizing and relaxing!! most nights I watch ur videos and wake up very inspired to create. I just wanted to say thanks for sharing ur knowledge here and inspiring many people like me. ❤ God bless. love from the Philippines

[@monetcafe]

I absolutely loved reading your comment sweetheart! Oh, how it lifts my spirits and motivates me to continue when I know that someone like you has started Pastels! I pray you stay inspired, and keep learning lots sweetheart! Thank you again for your beautiful words.

[@rosaliefunk1629]

Thank you Susan. A nice lesson and two sweet paintings.

[@monetcafe]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heather153]

Wonderful video, Susan - you are so inspiring. I love this idea for my sketchbooks. I’d have thought the ink and watercolour underpaintings would fill up some of the paper’s tooth, leaving less room for pastel layers, so I was surprised that they effectively act as ‘bonus’ layers. And what a great way to get some rich dark tones. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and your talent!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @heather153! Your comment blessed me. Happy painting and have a wonderful rest of your week and WEEKEND!

[@heather153]

Thanks so much and I hope you have a great weekend too! 😊

[@temi2202]

Beautiful! Thank you for a really good lesson ❤

[@hannettesmit5896]

Wow! Amasing! I love to watch your video's -- so inspiring! God bless.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much! This one was fun!

[@marytesta3003]

Thank you Susan. This is an amazingly useful tutorial. I can see myself using this. Also,I love that watercolor set. It comes highly recommended by Lindsay the frugal crafter.

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! Yes, I agree that watercolor set is one of the best for it's affordable price! I love Lindsay the Frugal Crafter!

[@lesyashulga9341]

Thanks, dear Susan. I don't have many of the materials you used for sketching. But I made a screenshot of your reference photo to draw if you don't mind.

[@monetcafe]

That will be fine sweetheart! Hope you have fun, Lesya!

[@marjo-riittareinikainen9740]

With watercolours, You can darken any colour by mixing neutral tint with the colour you want. Even though neutral tint is black, it doesn’t change the colour mixed with,it only makes it darker. Of course you can use neutral tint as black colour too.

[@monetcafe]

Oh wow! How sweet of you, @marjo-riittareinikainen9740! I appreciate your tip so much! God bless you.

[@Govhatesthepeople]

❤❤ love these ideas. cant wait to play with my stash.

[@monetcafe]

Yay! Thank you! Bet your are going to have fun!

[@PunjabiHumanitarian]

I was gifted an entire set of nupastels but had no idea what to do with them. They remind me of chalk but you showed beautifully how to make the most wonderful art with this medium. I will be trying this out for sure!! Glad I stumbled upon your channel 😊

[@jbc23]

Beautiful as always! Thank you Susan using the acrylic ink really helps to save money on the pastels which are usually expensive

[@monetcafe]

Yes, I agree! I love the acrylic ink technique.

[@maankawas5957]

Wonderful lesson and paintings! I really love and learn a lot from your videos, although I use oil pastels!😊👏👏

[@JLPrice-kc2uy]

Hello again… I would like to point out, as I have before; how you have accomplished illustrating all 7 elements of art. But I'd like to be just a little technical; just a little in case a beginner decides to read this. Number one, out of the seven is value, because it is all over the canvas, and not just performing a single function that doesn't change. The Z' factor means a lot in the end, regarding the cost/value$ of the piece. The Z-factor,(mathematics) I'm referring to, is the changing of value in the depth of field; from background to the foreground. Believe it or not, this is the number one element that will set the cost of the painting by Art Appraisers. Trust me when I say this to you; you are the best at setting this up in your work. Your friend Jerry;)

[@monetcafe]

Jerry, you always make me smile with your encouragement. I am also often so amazed at your knowledge of art and life. Thank you again for your kindness and friendship.

[@JLPrice-kc2uy]

@@monetcafe As you already know by way of my informing you and others; in the world of psychology; it's been discovered many years ago that I'm labeled as a cognitive empath. Born under the star sign, 'Libra' This may give me a name in a thesis, so an individual can receive her PHD, through Marshall University. Nothing like being used right. Lol But you, and I both know that what they think they discovered, was given to me at birth; becoming a servant to God, through his Son, Jesus, the Christ as foretold by the Prophets. Thank you for your kindness, and understanding towards me. ❤️

[@sabihashaikh6180]

That was a very useful tutorial and both the paintings are beautiful.

[@milesoster3122]

I have a smaller Sketch book that came with a larger sketch book that I haven't really ever used, but once I saw your videos about painting small and how great it is for practice I've started making entries into it and I'm really enjoying it actually 😁

[@monetcafe]

That is so wonderful to hear! It’s so amazing for me to know that others are really applying my teachings and having success. God bless you and thank you so much for your comment. It means a lot to me.

[@alanthornton3530]

I really enjoyed these paintings, a good idea to use sketchbooks/watercolour pads as a journal. Working with a limited amount of layers forces you to apply pastel with a lighter touch :)

[@mjpete27]

Hullo Susan, I enjoyed watching this video and if I had to make a comment on the watercolors I am just not willing to say using the cheaper brands that are not good for longevity. DaVinci Watercolors are made in California and professionally made and NOT a student quality paint! Reasonable prices I simply love these paints! I did get a handmade pastel paper sketchbook from Lindsay’s friend Rosi, she has an Etsy shop and nice products from quality supplies too! I have experienced color washout from a painting when I used lower quality supplies and there is nothing more mortifying than having a painting come back with a dissatisfied customer demanding their money back! I have learned that even a UV glassed framed picture is not immune from customer misuse! But starting with quality supplies is a must for me. I started with soft pastels just 3 years ago now like with watercolors, pastels must be on quality papers or a dedicated surface. Thank you for sharing another wonderful video with us and a good sketch book/pastel travel journal we all can try.

[@christianluigirusso]

Great video! I'm learning so much from your videos. I'm proficient with watercolour and gouache, and now thanks to your videos I'm pretty excited about the idea of experimenting with soft pastels. I tried once many years ago and it didn't catch my interest as I wished for, but now I think that I would try again. I remember finding it quite frustrating to get the right values, in particular the darkest ones. I have liquid acrylics, the ones produced by Liquitex. I will get that a shot!

[@Rivertowner]

Very Nice! Does this effect comes with the oil pastels too or is the layering is harder with them.

[@mozemoze6858]

I guess this is a common question, but do you protect the sketches in some way? Is it any different because of the sketchbook form?

[@monetcafe]

I protect sketches by outing a piece of tracing paper between pages. I usually tape them into place. Hope that helps☺️💜

[@leannebraden8711]

I love the vibrant colors when using pastels, but I’ve only done a few sketches because I’m unsure how to keep the end product from smearing. Is there a spray to use that will seal it so that it doesn’t get ruined?

[@monetcafe]

Hi @leannebraden8711, GREAT question! I never spray a fixative on a soft pastel painting since it always darkens the final image. To protect my final painting for shipping or storing, I place them in a clear plastic bag I get from www.clearbags.com/bags/flat/flap-tape/crystal-clear. I buy the bags a bit larger than standard sizes so I will have room for the painting and a piece of foamcore board cut to the size of the painting. Here is a video of my process:kzbin.info/www/bejne/aomnZYabr6useMk&t=209s

[@Souldesouse]

Hey Susan, I have an idea: why not make a live pastel lesson (free style) and talk about relationships. I would love to hear your tips and advice about marriage and children 🥰

[@monetcafe]

Well I would love that! I always say I have a ministry disguised as an art business ☺️❤️☺️ I need to get my studio set up to handle live stream better. Right now I live by really busy road with sketchy Wi-Fi. I am so excited about building my new art studio on a property where we will be moving. I hope will have that done within a year and I really really really want to do more live stream sessions!

[@Souldesouse]

@@monetcafe We’re also excited for you and for us 😆 I wish you and your family the best home and life filled with happiness and blessings 🌷

[@debpaolucciojanomethreadar2357]

Can you use l canvases? If so what works best?

[@annamariavonschalien9346]

I really enjoy your videos, they are so inspirational and I learn a lot from them. Do you use clear gesso to protect the pastel Painting as well?

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much! And I do not use clear gesso to protect the painting. When a pastel painting is done, I don’t do anything to seal it because it alters the color. I simply protect them in clear plastic bags prior to shipping or framing. The color can stay fresh and vibrant for hundreds of years when properly protected.