How To Paint Lights That Glow in Soft Pastel - Painting Tutorial

How to Paint Lights that Glow in Soft Pastel -
Shimmering lights seems to fill our eyes with fascination. And while it may seem that this subject matter is difficult to paint, there is actually a pretty simple technique that can be used with soft pastel to capture the brilliance and beauty of lights that twinkle and shine.
My reference image was of a sky at dusk while on a road trip. The tail lights in front of me and oncoming car lights were exciting focal point elements. I wanted to create them as glowing and brilliant.
I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you are a patron of mine on my Patreon page ( / susanjenkins ) you will receive the reference photo in your post on Patreon.
Have fun and please tag me if you recreate from this tutorial:
on Instgram @susanjenkinsartist
on Facdebook @TheArtofSusanJenkins
EASY Technique for Glowing Lights:
See Technique at 03:36
The video demonstration will be the easiest way to understand this, but here is the general principle
1. Use 3 Values (similar to color of lights in your scene)
2. Layer the values from darkest to lightest with a light touch
3. Reduce the size of each value as you add them
Products Mentioned in This Lesson:
(I earn money from qualifying purchases at NO COST to you)
Sennelier Soft Pastels - Paris Collection (120 Half Stick Set):
amzn.to/3ojKOj0
Pastelmat (pastel surface):
amzn.to/3PD2XUs
Black Artist's Tape:
amzn.to/3PLsJpH
Mobius & Ruppert Pastel Pencil Sharpener (also great for charcoal pencils): amzn.to/3yRhxRC
Tip this Video Lesson -
If you would like to leave a tip for this free video tutorial you can do so by clicking the "THANKS" button directly under the video. You will also be recognized in the comment section. God bless and thanks!
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[@pamb2734]

I never would have thought that vehicles on the highway could still look so beautiful with a sky like that, but it actually brings reality to a sky that could be mistaken as a figment of someone’s imagination!

[@monetcafe]

Thanks so much Pam!! How sweet.

[@lynneellis2647]

I see things all the time, while driving, that inspire me. I'm behind the wheel so it's hard to take pictures. I thought a GoPro type camera would be fun. Maybe it would see what I saw. Anyway, I love this one.

[@johntartaglia2672]

Watch your work in the morning to kick start my inspiration. Thanks a bunch!

[@monetcafe]

Awww.... that really blesses me, John!!

[@nafordebi]

Gorgeous again I am agatrring a cloud study tonight

[@mjpete27]

Lovely techniques Susan! I feel as if I am behind the truck glorying in the clouds, watching oncoming traffic! I commend you and your Patreon supporters! I have not been able to get back onto Patreon. I was rather forced into retirement and funds are simply not as available as they once were. I can do more of my own artworks and pick my projects rather than satisfy clients. but it pays much, much less! I spent my entire budget on a collection of Schmincke pastels. I got the 400 stick box, it was on sale and under $900.00 but that and some UArt paper was my entire art funds for last year! I have put your surface making videos to good use and I thank you for them! I have quite a collection of watercolor papers, I have converted some of them to pastel surfaces! Please take care and be safe out there!

[@monetcafe]

You’ve got a great attitude my friend and I know how tough things can be when we are financially challenged. But it sounds like you are being resourceful and still creating! No worries about Patreon… You still get lots of content here and we still get to chat!

[@annenglish2935]

I loved watching this ... and hearing all about why you choose certain colors... I'm a beginner in watercolor and love how amazing you are at that also! ❤️ Stay 😎 cool! With love from a California Gramma ❤️

[@lisaharrison1031]

Great video. Thank you Susan.

[@JLPrice-kc2uy]

LoL... You have become a master at handling gray's. You may recall in the beginning I explain how I studied under johnny bailey at Coquina key in the early 70's; his first word's to me when we moved into to world of color, he said, "If you don't learn to handle gray's... Become a carpenter." Your illusion of atmosphere is truly amazing 👍

[@monetcafe]

Ha ha.... love that quote! And it's funny..... the theme next month just happens to be neutrals!! You're a mind-reader my friend!!! :)

[@JLPrice-kc2uy]

@@monetcafe yeppers, so I've been told lol I'll be sure to tune in, and for all the up coming artists' out there; I don't know of anyone, anyone better to show you how it's done, than Susan. 💜

[@annenglish2935]

Thanks!

[@rayemartineau8644]

thanks for sharing

[@Anonymous-pg8wq]

Very beautiful lesson. Really enjoyed learning how you did the lights Susan 🥰

[@rayemartineau8644]

very cool

[@nicolekavanagh780]

Beautiful Susan 🥰🌹🌺🌺

[@ellymeerleveldt614]

Beautiful painting thank you for sharing Susan👌🎨🇱🇷

[@lynnfarrington8651]

Thank you for this video. I have learned so much

[@monetcafe]

Glad it was helpful! Lynn!!

[@moniqueedgecombe4703]

Beautiful Susan. I will practice this and post it on the Facebook page.

[@monetcafe]

Awesome! I look forward to seeing it Monique!

[@tbm7187]

So cool Susan!

[@petrajimenez7323]

Thank you for another lovely sky totorial !

[@angeladaquila3495]

Learned so much! Thank you!

[@neilallen529]

Beautiful blonde-headed girl! :O You might want to think about using pastel pencils for greater precision in settings like this. But you did really well with the sticks :p I really like your painting. It's pretty, and the effect is very convincing and your sky tutorials have been helpful : )

[@monetcafe]

Thanks for the tip, Neil! and I'm happy you are liking the sky tutorials!! Yay!!

[@ElizabethBattle]

I might have cheated and used pastel pencils for the lights!😆

[@rayemartineau8644]

❤❤👍🏿👍🏿👀👀 7/20/22

[@valcochran6789]

What do you do with all these?? Sell?

[@monetcafe]

Yes, Val. I sell many of my originals in my Etsy Shop, but i must admit it's sometimes hard to get them all posted on there since I create so many tutorials ;) www.etsy.com/shop/TheArtofSusanJenkins?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1268859485