From Dull to Dazzling: Transforming Pastels with Luminous Techniques

[@alexsandrarokas7117]

I love Impressionism.

[@alexklette1138]

So cool! Thank you Susan! ❤ and thank you for keeping your Patreon so affordable! It is truly a gift.

[@monetcafe]

You are so welcome!🤗

[@tamarajanerikiti91]

Loved your demonstration with these inks and pastels. I can’t wait to give this a go over the weekend. Thank you Susan.

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @tamarajanerikiti91, I appreciate that so much! Happy painting!!

[@gigiartstudiowithartistvir3919]

I love this method. Edited to add: It's sad how expensive art supplies have gotten. I'm glad I ordered large sheets of Pastelmat years ago and cut down to desired size. I'm currently working on a large painting using Panpastels and a large sheet of Pastelmat, but on my next one I'm going to try the acrylic ink. Thanks for sharing.

[@Jeannine754]

Awesomeness! 😊

[@dianecourtney2724]

So happy I found you 🥰 WOW ! How beautiful 🌷💕💗🌷

[@monetcafe]

I’m so happy you found my channel too, Diane! Blessings, new Art friend!

[@chezkastle]

I love this! I love using acrylic inks with pastels

[@rosaliefunk1629]

Bright, beautiful, colorful, cheerful, happy, wonderful!!! Thank you!

[@monetcafe]

Glad you like it! I really do love this technique.

[@laurenkris9384]

I love this! Your painting was prettier than the actual photo! Can not wait to try this.

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @laurenkris9384 Comments like this are part of why I do this. I love inspiring others, especially in their art journey! Thank you for your sweet comment!

[@susanreinersuedahl]

What a great demo! Thanks Susan.

[@monetcafe]

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

[@nanwright2366]

wonderful! thanks!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @nanwright2366! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@monev4456]

Wow! It’s gorgeous!!!💕

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @monev4456 ty! I so appreciate you!

[@letistiles853]

Can wait to use these inks !

[@modernartbyamy]

Beautiful and inspiring ❤

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @modernartbyamy, I appreciate that so much!

[@bibibrin5035]

Beautiful, vibrant, spring energy throughout! ❤ I'm going to look for your patreon site immediately.

[@monetcafe]

Yay! Thank you!

[@jennw6809]

I definitely have started with the vase and then had no room left for the flowers 🤣 I *always* like my watercolors better when I leave some of the paper showing! I love how this one turned out, and that you didn't cover the whole underpainting, which was really lovely on its own!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much Jen. I’ve done that before where I start a sketch and have no room to finish it. That’s why I like to make little marks early on to keep me within the borders. And yes, I love letting the watercolor or underpainting show through. It keeps things looking so impressionistic and painterly.

[@franksullivan1873]

Gorgeous color!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, Frank!

[@nancyloomis3046]

Hi Susan...I purchased the Sennelier Paris Collection last fall. They are absolutely gorgeous. I was so lucky to find them on Amazon at that super-low price you mentioned...like $120+! I felt so lucky! I had never used such high quality soft pastels before and was just amazed! I'm anxious to see what you do here with the addition of acrylic inks. Thanks! 😊😊😊

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! That was a great price!

[@rockindavebyron3960]

WOW, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanks for the Inspiration, because of you, my journey in art & this medium, I really do appreciate it, you are GREAT, have a Blessed day, God Bless!!!

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! thank you so much Rockin Dave! That makes me so happy.

[@marit4660]

Thank you, Susan! I love watching your beautiful paintings come to life. Even your underpaintings are gorgeous on their own. Thank you for the tip re: acrylic inks and leaving some white!

[@ashleyevans3330]

Absolutely stunning 😍

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @ashleyevans3330! Your comment blessed me.

[@alenaabakumova1525]

Просто чудо урок, Сьюзан спасибо за красоту🎉

[@monetcafe]

Спасибо огромное, @alenaabakumova1525! Я так рада, что вам понравилось! Приятной живописи!

[@charmainbain3965]

I only just now discovered your channel and I was soo impressed I gave you a like and subscribed right away. Looking forward to following your work!

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! That makes me so happy! Hope you learn lots.

[@Anonymoi]

Beautiful! I recently found an artist named Andrew Moodie, who is new to KZbin, who uses this technique with landscapes. I went all-in on buying acrylic inks a couple years ago when I first heard of them and then ended up struggling to decide how to actually use them. This is such an interesting technique with such potential for bright, painterly results. I’m not sure why, aware of the possibility of using watercolor as an underpainting, I didn’t think of acrylic ink for that purpose.

[@monetcafe]

Thanks so much for that comment. I’m so thankful that my technique inspired you to use your acrylic inks! Have fun!

[@doloresvincent8987]

Magnifique !

[@pam5670]

I love your work. I get so inspired.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much! That truly blesses me!☺️❤️😁❤️🎨

[@nancyloomis3046]

Beautiful painting...and it does pop! Wow!

[@monetcafe]

Thanks so much 😊

[@billwatson4561]

Thank you so much,I must have a go , I am very impressed. I live in Dublin Ireland

[@janinafisher101]

Gorgeous!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @janinafisher101! I'm so glad you liked it!

[@janinafisher101]

@@monetcafe So weird...I have no idea why this shows me as janinafisher101! But yeah, I absolutely love it!

[@alenaabakumova1525]

Отличная скетч -- работа 🍓🍓👍Почему ,так мало лайков ? Надо поддерживать художника !

[@monetcafe]

Awwww…. Thank you so much!😊

[@cyborgzulu2011]

Freaked me out this morning seeing this video upload. I literally have the same exactly color of acrylic ink (and same company) and I just playing with the inks! It's awesome.

[@monetcafe]

Whoa…. That’s crazy awesome! Wow, have fun!

[@alatsaf]

Gorgeous

[@dariabuczynski9711]

What fun. I will try this technique. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

Great! Hope you have fun!

[@joycewickman1148]

So beautiful ! I can't wait to try this painting with the acrylic underpainting. I will watch you on patreon to get the full lesson! Thanks for your great instruction!

[@monetcafe]

Hope to get to see what you create Joyce!

[@bonniebiancardi1829]

I bought my set of Sennelier Paris set for $99! Some years ago. Love your work 😄

[@monetcafe]

Wow, that was a fantastic price! I’ve never seen them that low. Way to go, Bonnie!

[@klaudiadollbaum6382]

Love this ❤

[@Andrew48590]

I wish I could give this video to likes! This video was amazing!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @Andrew48590, I appreciate that so much!

[@ValleyMermaid]

Beautiful!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much!

[@FloritaLorita]

Thanks for sharing these lovely, informative videos! I believe I'll subscribe to your patreon channel!!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @FloritaLorita! Your comment blessed me. We would love to have you as part of the family!

[@sherrysvesnik7711]

❤ Gorgeous!!

[@monetcafe]

Thanks so much Sherry. This is a really fun way to paint.

[@Midgy21747]

Love pastel mat but so expensive. Thanks for a great tutorial.

[@monetcafe]

It really is! These art supplies can get pricey. That’s why I often make my own surfaces. 👍🏻😁☺️

[@pennyzahurones797]

Very beautiful Susan!❤

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much!

[@DieterPrivate]

Do the pastels have enough grip on the acrylic layer? Otherwise great result with this technique. Using inks like inktense would maybe allow some of the grip of the paper.

[@TjVoelkerArt]

I'm excited to try this! I just joined your patreon page. I need to learn how to use soft pastels. Thanks for keeping it so affordable!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome! Thank you! i’m so happy to have you in my Patreon family! It’s a beautiful group of aspiring artists. Enjoy and if I haven’t already sent you a welcome letter I will soon. it will have good information about navigating my Patreon page.

[@TjVoelkerArt]

@@monetcafe thank you! I look forward to it and to meeting everyone.

[@PamelaMcLean-i8q]

Thank you for sharing your talent and knowledge with us. I enjoy you so much. I am in NC and my name is Pamela McLean 😊❤😊

[@monetcafe]

You are so welcome, Pamela! I was born in North Carolina, and my whole family is from the western North Carolina region. I really miss it now.

[@sherrytitusthomasart677]

Is there a link to find the bamboo brush? What size are you using? Thank you. It’s so beautiful

[@joanneruppen1141]

Beautiful , do the inks fade?

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @joanneruppen1141! I'm so glad you liked it! They don't! :) Happy Painting!

[@barbibarnum]

Is your painting up on an easel or flat? The ink reaction blooms make it look flat but it’s presented like you’re up on an easel.

[@monetcafe]

It's on an easel. I do sometimes work flat, but prefer an easel :)

[@FRAN2639]

Beautiful. How much do you have to tweak an Unsplash photo, or is it necessary.

[@monetcafe]

Thanks, Fran, and that’s a great question. Often I don’t have to tweak an Unsplash photo at all because I often find ones that are so beautiful and wonderfully composed. In some cases, I will change them from portrait to landscape mode or remove elements that are unnecessary. Recently, Unsplash has started allowing some photographers to Require a subscription to use their work. I don’t think it matters that much if you’re painting from the image, but if you wanted to use it for something with the actual photo, you would definitely want to subscribe to the Unsplash account.

[@annoctober]

Susan, I really enjoy your videos! I notice that you have a large iPad Pro on the upper right side of the easel. Are you using magnets to hold it on the easel?

[@monetcafe]

So glad you’re enjoying my lessons! And that’s a question I get all the time about my iPad. It looks like magic or something, but it’s really just the cover that I flip over the back of my board. It looks like it’s stuck to my board, but the cover is just holding it. It’s a cheap cover. I got from Walmart.

[@jekaterinanemeth3052]

🎉🎉🎉👌🤗🤩💐🌹🌺🍀💙💛

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @jekaterinanemeth3052 ty!!

[@franksullivan1873]

If you use another person’s art for reference how much do you need to change to truly and legally make your creation absolutely yours?I heard you must alter at least a third of the composition….is that true?

[@monetcafe]

I typically don’t use other artists work to re-create from, but I will use it as inspiration. Personally, I think you should change more than a third if you’re going to attempt that. And these percentages are a bit hard to measure, right? One thing you could do is Flip the image horizontally and perhaps crop it differently. But again, this is a tricky thing because you don’t ever want another artist to come back and say you’ve copied their work.

[@franksullivan1873]

@@monetcafeThank you for responding.Very informative.

[@jenalouise9813]

Love this so much. I'm going to try this. Question, do you spray the finished piece with a fixative or varnish it?

[@monetcafe]

Thanks so much. I actually never spray or varnish a finished pastel painting. It always darkens the color. It is best protected under glass. But I do temporarily store them in clear bags prior to shipping or framing.

[@pam5670]

If I join as a patron, will you help with how to make copies of original work and how to sell work art work. ??

[@monetcafe]

I don’t have much content of those topics, but perhaps it’s something I can address in future tutorials.

[@candicewoodard8575]

Does this work on Uart?

[@monetcafe]

Yes…. Should work great on UArt. Even though the surface is cream, and there’s a little more texture, I still think it will work nicely.

[@tsenotanev]

such bright saturated background is just not nice there... flowers look like they're just obstructing the view of the background

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @tsenotanev thanks. I appreciate that input. God bless.

[@Happy-ArtLife]

Absolutely beautiful❤

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much!

[@sophiaannelizabeth]

Beautiful!