How to Make your Paintings More Exciting on a Black Textured Surface!

Do you want to add more excitement and drama to your pastel paintings? Do you want a simple way to loosen up and paint with more suggestion and expression? Try painting on black! In this video I show you how to add texture to black illustration board so it is ready for pastel. We will paint some yellow autumn trees along a river so we even get to work with reflections. I pack a lot into this 30 minute demo! I hope you enjoy it! If you would like to see more consider joining my Patreon group! Link below.
SUPPLY LIST
1. Crescent Ultra Black Illustration board 8x10
2. Liquitex clear gesso and a stiff paint brush
3. Unison half stick 120 pastel set
4. Unison Light and Shade pastel set
5. Diane Townsend soft form pastels
Subscribe to my channel and Patreon Page for more pastel and painting video demos and tips!
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[@claudiahartshorn102]

Well, you sure fooled me, Karen. When I saw that gessoed board with all those crazy random brush strokes, I thought oh, no, this can’t possibly end well! But of course as usual, you knew what you were doing and the end result is beautiful. Another lesson learned, thanks!

[@KarenMargulis]

I'm glad you stayed with me to see the painting develop!! Thanks for watching!

[@ericwilliams2122]

Even halfway through it was a masterpiece!!!😂 lol thank you very much ❤

[@maankawas5957]

Amazing! Sooooo beautiful! ❤😍😍👏👏👏

[@sueaberle935]

I just love watching you paint. Great demo.

[@michellet4366]

Woo, I'm in love with the texture. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and skills with us in the tutorials.

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@flyinghaggertys9362]

It is so wonderful to watch you work and hear your commentary about what you are doing. Not only is your artwork beautiful but so is the art of your live teaching ☀️🙌🥰

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much! I appreciate your feedback!

[@eagrinstead1]

I second this!!!

[@rosaliefunk1629]

I always enjoy watching you. You do such a good job explaining what you’re doing and using. Thank you.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much! Thanks for watching!

[@lindahoagland7516]

I just love watching you paint with pastels. I learn something everytime I watch you create.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@deniseshaw3871]

Rainy day in Georgia… song there !!!!!

[@madso2295]

Wow! Yes the black and that TEXTURE!! All came together beautifully, as you usually do. I learn so much from your videos Karen. You're as much a great teacher as great artist, thank you. Would you consider giving a demonstration on pastel painting galaxies please?.. The colours and versatility of pastels would really lend to the drama, grandness, beauty and wonder. I'd really appreciate your teaching of how to... And a demo of yours for this would be perfect!

[@jenniferr-m5899]

Masterful,Karen!

[@wilma5618]

That's great. Thank you so much🌹🤗

[@shelleybrandon2825]

So happy to see one of your demos again!! You're one of my favorite impressionistic pastel painters that has help me IMMENSELY with my own technique! Love the end result! Always, Happy Painting!!! BRAVA!

[@KarenMargulis]

Wow, thank you! I appreciate your kind words!

[@Engelhafen]

One of your best ever

[@deemartella582]

Love it!

[@carolhestand2561]

Thank you for time and energy involved in making this video, I enjoyed it . Loved the black board. Don't have clear gesso but I do use pumice gel, found I could add color to it or use clear.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for watching!!

[@rzrr41]

Love your honesty in ur painting,,,You are the best God bless you

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@kellyflanagan7632]

Thank you for explaining everything you do. It makes it so much easier for me to understand.

[@fredasidaravicius232]

Love it.

[@monev4456]

Beautiful, as always!

[@KarenMargulis]

Oh thank you! I appreciate you watching!

[@lauramulholland6483]

Why did you choose that red for underpainting? How do you choose your underpainting color? I can't wait to try, it came out so beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching! It was a burnt orange color which I thought would be good for autumn color and would help make the yellow pop. I choose UP colors based on past experience of what I know works. There is no right or wrong choice but the more you experiment the easier it will be to make informed choices!

[@Purple20]

It is amazing. Thanks for uploading this, I always wanted to know how to draw pastel landscape on black surface.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much!! I appreciate you watching!

[@290582able]

Thank you!!!! I enjoy your Work

[@KarenMargulis]

I appreciate that!

[@user-zv6xt4ij6b]

So simple and so great 😊

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! 😊

[@anitabeck1833]

Yessssssss your vidéo comes in the right moment Karen😁...last night I sorted out all the paper I have and have seen that I had quite a lot of black... and today I see that I will be able to use it !😅 Thanks for this lesson , great as usual !🙏

[@KarenMargulis]

Excellent! Have fun!

[@evonrabadi1432]

So satisfying, love your work👌

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@Rjbcrone]

Bravo! Beautiful as usual ❤️🥂

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! 😊

[@howlingwind1937]

I always enjoy your videos, and as usual the painting is brought to life like magic, and I've learnt something in the process. Thank you for sharing the video. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much! I am so happy you enjoy my videos!

[@howlingwind1937]

@@KarenMargulis yes I do very much, I've been trying the things that you do and I think my painting has improved. Cheers from Tasmania!

[@joaniemiller4362]

❤

[@eagrinstead1]

Your set is the only one that's not on sale. 😢😢😢 Geeze, I sure was hoping it would be when Terry Ludwig opened again. I've been researching extensively and your curated set is the most comprehensive I found.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much for your interest! I don't have any control over the sales but perhaps it is because they had a sale on the set in June? I appreciate your feedback on the set. It took me months of work to come up with the selections.

[@eagrinstead1]

Karen, I certainly know you don't control the sale price. I'll peace meal until I can pay full price or it's on sale. I'm taking it as a sign to paint with the somewhat limited pallet colors I have. I do need more darks and I just realized v100 isn't in Intense Darks II set. I was looking too Jackson's to find a dark set, lux archival, and their large pastel box. Thank you for your time.

[@dianneshaddock]

Thank you for all your inspiration - I’m new to pastels - I’m sure this is a medium I’m going to enjoy - I paint in oils and sometimes acrylic - this is amazing - although messy but that’s creative art 😂

[@KarenMargulis]

Wonderful! I am so happy you found me. Welcome to the wonderful world of pastel!

[@brigettez6459]

Gah. Sooooooo excellent.

[@bhavyadon]

Can we use sanitizer to liquify?

[@KarenMargulis]

Great question. I actually haven't tried but I don't see why not. I know what I will be trying today!!

[@mariadagloriasantosdeolive1593]

Lindo

[@mitrasalehreyhani3131]

Hi Karen. It will be appreciated if you put a hint of your colors on the surface of your paintings so we know what colors have been used in your demo . Thanks

[@minnahumble2294]

I enjoy your pastel demos and may invest in some pastels. So I’m wondering if it is best to join your Patreon on the first of a month? Can a person subscribe month by month and stop anytime?

[@barbarascott1774]

Thanks again for another great lesson and all your tips and advice. Love the texture and colours. Could you use canvas to great some texture with pastels.?

[@KarenMargulis]

Yes you can! Although the canvas weave creates a more even mechanical texture. It is a personal preference but it is worth a try to see how you like it!

[@barbarascott1774]

Thanks Karen I am going to experiment with different under painting and textures and I will give the canvas a go also as it has been sitting around for some time. Thanks for all your videos and help as I only started using pastels last year .

[@vonaldautterback8831]

Lovely, Karen! Thank you! As far as fixative, why not spectrafix (nontoxic, can be used indoors with no concern, etc.)? I'm having trouble finding the 8X10 size board. Do you have a source for that?

[@KarenMargulis]

I will look for the board. I had them in my studio for several years . I like Spectrafix but it doesn't give the same darkening effect as the Blair.

[@annelloydholden2567]

Beautiful! Can one also get the same effect with Uart black sanded paper?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks! Yes the colors will pop the same on black Uart but you won't get the effect of the thicker texture.

[@annelloydholden2567]

@@KarenMargulis Thank you Karen!

[@art.and.bicycle]

Thanks for your interesting lesson! I'm new in pastel and I was wondering if this technique can be good also for urban subjects and eventually with human figures? Thanks for your replay.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching and welcome to the wonderful world of pastels! I do use the same techniques for all subjects!

[@art.and.bicycle]

@@KarenMargulis OK! I'll follow you to see all your subjects :)) Last question: I saw one of your video use alcohol to dissolve the base, why?

[@KarenMargulis]

@@art.and.bicycle It is known as an alcohol wash and it is used for underpainting to give your painting a head start. I do this often as well as start paintings other ways. You will see some of them in my videos and much more on my Patreon group www.patreon.com/karenmargulis

[@art.and.bicycle]

@@KarenMargulis Thanks a lot! 😘

[@Shopgirl49]

Thanks Karen for another great video. Is there any reason why most of your reference photos are so small?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! Yes! I actually prefer small photos so I am not too caught up in the detail. They allow me to be more expressive!

[@Shopgirl49]

@@KarenMargulis that makes so much sense. I love the confidence you have and always produce amazing paintings 🖼 Thank you Karen for responding so quickly..hope you have a great weekend!

[@idasyafyan3989]

easy to see technique but, hard to try

[@eagrinstead1]

Blair is gone from my searches. 4oz cans on 3 sites is all I could find and overpriced at $12+ a can plus shipping. Those that say it's still available please let me know where I'm missing it.

[@KarenMargulis]

I have been told by a few others that it has been discontinued so what we may find is what is left. I am experimenting with other brands and I have use a spray bottle of alcohol that gives a similar effect.

[@eagrinstead1]

I loved your lesson using the black surface today. Gorgeous. You're fantastic to watch. I was wondering about spraying alcohol. I just bought a continuous mister while awaiting Spectrafix, which I'll be trying for the first time. I need to put alcohol in the mister and give it a go. Karen, thank you for your reply, sharing your knowledge, and gift with pastels.

[@yomomma1st]

What's with the conspiracy theories on your blog?

[@KarenMargulis]

I was hacked!! None of that was from me. I actually have not posted on my blog for months and was just informed by a patron that the blog was hacked. I apologize . that was not me!!!