8 WAYS to Make Your Own Pastel Papers!! / Plus... 7 Paintings!

[@theadhdmakeupaddict]

I wanted to give you a secret I created a pastelmat paper with and it's fast and so cheap and you've got a variety to choose from! I buy canson 140# watercolor paper ($4.95 for 30 sheets at Wal-Mart) and then I buy rustoleum multicolor textured desert bisque spray paint ($5.95 a can at Wal-Mart & comes in other muted tones of Grey's, greens, blues, tans) I just do 1 or 2 passes over a sheet of my watercolor paper with the spray and if I have bare spots lightly pass again being sure not to hold the can too close at least 10-12" away I usually like to have the paper taped to a sheet of cardboard leaning up on an easel and at eye level when I do my spraying to prevent drips and overspraying. I let that dry really well. Then I take a foam nail file block that has 2 rough sides and extremely lightly sand in small circles across the whole page to even out all the paint but not too hard that I remove the paint. I use a blow dryer to blow off all the dust and finally a big cosmetic brush to brush away any filings I missed. It's worked great for me! I have a couple of tips for blending difficult pencil blends I could give you if you like and some other easy ideas I'm just an introvert due to being sick all the time so I don't make videos for you tube to show these myself.

[@monetcafe]

Oh sweetheart... thank you for sharing this AWESOME tips!!! And I am so sorry you've been so sick. :( . Sounds like you have an incredibly creative spirit!! I will have to try these techniques and share myself. I pray you will heal and I'll try to remember to give you credit if I try this and make a video. God bless you

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

That is such a useful tip! Thank you for sharing 🙏🙏🙏 sending warm hugs your way Regards

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

Bobbi S Wow, you’ve been through the ringer lately! I wish for a successful recovery for you and hope you’ll be able to get back to your art and uplifting activities soon!! Thanks so much for sharing your own method of creating pastel papers. I can’t believe sanded papers are so expensive. I will probably never buy them. (Fortunately, pastels are not too expensive for decent ones it seems. ;)

[@yolandamcclellan643]

This was a great idea!

[@theadhdmakeupaddict]

@@yolandamcclellan643 thanks! I switched to canson mixed media paper now I get better control over the tooth of the pastel feel I want. I use krylon fixative between layers & my paper works perfectly!

[@thesupergirl20186]

This may be an older video, but I just found you and can’t tell you how happy I was to find a pastel artist video! I have taught myself how to draw, watercolor, paint acrylics and have done quite a lot of mixed media techniques (by the way, I’ve always used texture paste with a stencil for dimension in a mixed media piece-and it does take quite a long time to dry, Will bubble up or burn if you blow dry without care, and is hard to spread without a pallet knife!). I’ve a massed many pastel supplies including pan pastels, but was having a hard time finding teaching U tubes on the medium! I have MS and the Lord has lead me to art as a lifeline. Thank you for the excellent video and beautiful work!

[@monetcafe]

What a wonderful comment for me to read this morning. I can so relate to you joy in finding pastel instruction online. I actually started this channel because i had a hard time finding instruction when I first started trying pastels (many years ago) and I wanted to share what I learned with others by creating videos. And I do believe it was the Lord who has guided me in this journey. He has blessed me by getting to meet beautiful people and share art instruction with people who may not have other options. So have fun and I'm so happy you found my channel. :)

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

OMG, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your gorgeous nature pastel paintings!!!! I’m so inspired to learn how to use pastels after seeing them. Thanks so much for sharing how to make affordable papers! I was shocked at how much sanded papers cost, but I also saw how beautifully the pastels laid down on them. So happy I searched for sanded pastel paper on KZbin and found your video! : )

[@monetcafe]

Danielle Blair oh that makes me so happy! You might want to join our Facebook group called monet cafe’ Art group. You can learn so much from other artists there.

[@lynneellis2647]

I appreciate all the money-saving tips you provide. I mostly paint on watercolor paper with clear gesso or regular gesso that I added pumice to. I was really inspired to try adding pumice and didn't want to wait for mail order. I started researching. Woodworking stores sell pumice, but I got a huge container of pumice at the pet store for about 13 dollars. It is for chinchillas to "bathe" in. It's pure pumice and an even, fine grit. I had to leave my job to care for a spouse with dementia. It's crucial I watch my spending. I have sold 4 paintings. I'm praying I can continue to paint and sell. You are an inspiration and I've learned a lot from you. I've only been doing pastels a few months. Thanks, Susan.

[@monetcafe]

Your message really blessed me. Thank you so much Lynne!!!

[@alesiaarnold4259]

I love this idea! Thank you!

[@gwenchaperon4262]

You are the best not only do you tutor me but you are prizing open the heavy door that has trapped my creativity for a long time. I have Ms which is manageable and I have a lot of help and complex severe ptsd . Thank you for putting a smile on my face and hope in my heart . It is very hard to get doing it because of the trauma yet I long to do it but when I watch your video's no fear is felt only awe,joy and excitement. God bless you a thousand times over, yours in gratitude Gwendolen

[@monetcafe]

You can do it Gwen!!! Keep that positive excitement 🙌🏻😊💜

[@cinnie2543]

"I share a lot on this channel"...You sure do and we thank you! Beautiful little paintings too.

[@monikastahnke9362]

Thank you Susan for this fantastic video. I've learned a lot and also about the differences of different pastes + gels. This includes the quick sketches on these surfaces, we could see as more accurate and hear what your own homemade papers with pastels look like. This month we have been given by Karen Margulis the task of painting the same painting on so many different papers or backgrounds, if possible. We should paint at least 10 paintings. To explore how to paint on the different papers, whether we like them, etc. We then share whether the paper was a problem for us, whether we like it or not, etc. I have so many types of paper on which I have never painted before. A cool challenge! This fits your video perfectly. Thank you!

[@cathyquilts2609]

Wow! So much work, gonna have to watch this again closer!!

[@Phoebe-f4e]

Omg! I love your art!!!! Your one of my favorite artist!!! Thank you for helping me learn to paint with pastel s!!! Your so Creative

[@monetcafe]

Awwwww...... your comment just blessed me so much. Keep painting and enjoying this wonderful journey!

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

All of these are so stunning!! The pigments are sooo vibrant!! I loved the contrasts of the greens and magenta’s and purple

[@mjpete27]

I enjoyed watching your video very much! I am a thrifty person and I am having a hard time spending money on sanded papers for my practice works. I might just be a cheapskate but I like to work larger and making my own surfaces really appeals to me! Thank you for sharing these wonderful solutions for alternative surfaces! Have a lovely day!

[@ShirleyLuStudio]

Just found this on KZbin. So much info. Thank you. Which one is more like pastelmat? I have made sanded surface before. But I love pastelmat.

[@donnamallery]

That’s my question too! :-)

[@monetcafe]

Oh, I also love Pastelmat. Most of these DIY techniques produce a result that is a little bit more Granny Pastelmat. There is a product made by color fix that is pretty smooth though. I can’t remember if I included that one in this video. He is a link to it on Amazon and it does come in different colors: Colourfix Sanded Pastel Grounds Terracotta 250 ml (8.5 oz) jar a.co/d/4ya8Btn

[@leslieg3581]

Hi, Susan! WOWWOWWOW! New to this art, I need to keep spending low as I learn, so many of the pastel papers are out for me now. This video gives me the opportunity to learn (read: make lots of boo-boos while making "art") and not sweat the spending. I so appreciate you for this!

[@janewineinger1569]

WOW! As an aspiring pastelist you blew me away! I'm solely a watercolorist, but panpastels just grabbed my attention. Hope to see you do that......will look.

[@TeoKaiGuan]

Thanks once again for sharing Susan!

[@flyfisherman3649]

OMG just when I thought my addiction was being managed. I'm now making lots of pastel paper at home. It's all good though as there could be worse things I could do with my time. I use 140lb. watercolor paper to make my pastel paper with Golden Pastel Ground which seems to work great. I also make my own pastels and watercolor paint to.Thank you Susan for another outstanding tip!

[@marthajacobo3519]

thank you!!, like your laid back but instructional methods, learned so much!!

[@gillianbc]

Very useful experiments. The sparkles in the micaceous one are mica - a little crystal.

[@milesoster3122]

Love the video and I love the Mike Alstott (The A-Train) Shirt!

[@watercolourartincapetown2919]

This is such a handy video! I’m new to dry pastels, during lockdown I tried guessing on watercolour paper. Really enjoyed this thorough explanation of all the different products.

[@anniedarkhorse6791]

Can you get fine detail with any of these grounds (for example as you might want when doing wildlife portraits) ? I don't usually paint in the expressionist style you're using.

[@monetcafe]

I don't think these methods would be great for fine detail or photo realism. But there is a technique I've used lately that could work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3Sqi6iPl86mi6s

[@chriswhitehouse8982]

Thanks for doing that, very helpful. Do you think it would make any different if you were to add a second or third coat for any of them? For example, would that add more grit allowing you to add more layers of pastel?

[@pv3039]

Thank you so much for sharing

[@s.k.3483]

Susan, Thank you so much for this...I really need to save money so I will try some of your suggestions and what a generous and gracious spirit you have...I'm teaching myself pastels and watercolor and I learn something new everyday, I have a suggestion for you but you may have already thought about it or tried it. If so, please let me know if you think it would work. M. Graham makes a nickle quinacridone gold watercolor paint that is a different pigment mix than Sennelier or Holbein and you may be able to get that gold you love by mixing it or painting underneath the clear gesso or mixing with one of the pastel grounds you used. I think I will try it and see if I like it. Your paintings are so lovely, and you've inspired me to paint some smaller works daily if just to build my skills faster. Thanks again for sharing your skills and knowledge, such a pleasure. Shonna PS...Just to let people know nickle pigments carry the california toxic warning, so wear gloves when handling and don't spray them, don't fear them, just be wise and use them cautiously. Of course, if you painted the paper first them applied gesso, the gesso would seal it so seems it would then be OK to apply the pastels without risk...at least I think that would work. Do you have suggestions for those of us who may need to be cautious regarding some of the pigments artist's use? S.

[@monetcafe]

S. K. So sorry I didn’t see this message a while ago. What wonderful information you have shared. I pray you have gotten some time to paint and learn more in this beautiful artistic journey.

[@daleshawn1910]

Wonderful information and paintings

[@renatobfa]

Hi Susan! Thanks for the lessons and congratulations on your channel. I'm a acrylic painter but i'm really interested in pastels. I live in Brazil and we don't get a lot of pastel paper options here. Its basicaly Canson Mi-Teintes Touch and Pastelmat, and they are both quite expensive. I wanted to know how does the DIY paper (say, with Golden Pastel Ground on thick watercolor paper) compares to the real deal, like Uart / Colourfix papers, in terms of holding the pastels safely (short and long term), layering and all the important stuff, so I can decide in which I'll invest when visiting the US. Thanks again

[@LyseikoArt]

I love your Chanel!!! Thank you so much for the info! It’s so helpful to me😊

[@donnag1437]

We did this at one of our quarterly meeting. What fun and so enlightning!

[@kellysue85020]

Wanted to thank you very much in my journey to learn how to paint. Very informative.🙃

[@wendyroe5154]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Very helpful! ❤

[@markgallagher325]

Susan, what is the vacuum shelf that you use under your easel to draw away the dust from the pastels?

[@monetcafe]

I don't have a vacuum under my easel but a fan with a Hepa filter. I put the suction side towards where the pastels fall and the blowing side away from me. It does help some to control the dust. This fan is similar to the one I use. amzn.to/408xxOj

[@CyberspaceShy-bz3vx]

Is there a way to get dry Pumice to spread evenly.

[@anapardo4827]

mi truco para preparar cualquier papel es dar una capa de pintura chalk paint para muebles, es increíble, gracias por este video y sus valiosos consejos, saludos desde España.

[@wandachristy3670]

I love your tutorials! They are so informative. I can’t wait to try making my own pastel surfaces.

[@dianned1496]

Very helpful, Susan. Thank you so much. I can't wait to try a couple of these. Dianne, Colorado Springs, CO, USA

[@shaash5236]

Your paintings are so beautiful. ThankYou. I’d be a bit worried about using the fixing spray though....

[@monetcafe]

You're exactly right about fixative. I don't use it on the final painting because it darkens everything. I just keep the painting safe in a clear bag or between sheets of glassine (or tracing paper) prior to framing.

[@shaash5236]

@@monetcafe thanks for this extra tip ❤️

[@CupCakesCreations]

Hi Susan! Thanks so much for creating this video! So helpful! As a beginner, the presanded paper seems very costly, so I'm thrilled to learn I can create my own to begin painting!! Thanks so much!

[@scottkendall5655]

So, I've bought some pastels, and paper was confusing...I did the color wash with watercolors and then put some clear gesso...it is really nice and gritty, getting ready to paint somethingbut watching a couple more of your beginner vids. Thanks for this one.

[@monetcafe]

Awesome Scott! That’s what I like to hear. Keep having fun my friend.

[@danyelhudon458]

What a great video about how to do a less cost pastel paper review! Congratulation for your advices and Knowledge always precious and precise! 😊❤🇨🇦

[@artmadebydi]

This video is so informative thank you!

[@poisxe]

48:23 for those who want save time skip around then jump to her helpful ratings!

[@reneekroyer5104]

Thanks SO much for this video, Susan. I loved it. I was wondering -- for your first example where you put watercolor down and then clear gesso, could I use instead acrylic paint mixed with water to do the underpainting coat instead of using watercolor and water? (I do not have any watercolor paint, only acrylic paint.) I loved the demos you did for all the different methods. I'm going to try the clear gesso as you said that was most like the Uart sanded papers and that is what I'm used to using. (it is the ONLY one I've tried, so far. lol) When I check on pricing for the Liquitex clear gesso, the cost is $11.26 for a 4-oz bottle and $28.69 for a 16-oz bottle. Is this the brand you would recommend I use? Thanks again for your time/talent videos. It makes painting FUN and NOT FRUSTRATING. I wish I found you 30 years ago when I first started in pastels, but you were probably not born yet. OH, OH, OH -- I have to tell you. I just found a fantastic deal on a 32-oz bottle of Liquitex clear gesso at Freestyle Photographic Supplies for only $15.49 plus $5.99 S&H That is a GREAT deal as I checked with Amazon, DickBlick, and a few other places. Just thought I'd let you know in case you've never heard of them before. Great prices. Hugs, Renee

[@monetcafe]

Yes, you can absolutely use the acrylic as you would the watercolor. I have another video I'll share with you where I've used acrylic paints. And ha ha on the "not being born yet"... tee hee. I'll be 56 this year. That was a score on the liquid gesso~! It is expensive, but it lasts me a fairly long time. Bless you sweetie and I love your zeal for learning.

[@monetcafe]

Here is a link where I use acrylic and Golden Fine Pumice gel to make my own surfaces. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/qmW4n4ure6qjhM0

[@jimkroyer5280]

@@monetcafe Wow girl, that Florida weather must be good for you b/c I thought you were in your 30s. Me, I'm 64, an old, old, OLD lady. My mom just turned 100 last April, can you believe it? Thanks for answering all of my pesky questions, I appreciate it. I thought I might also try putting some of the clear gesso on some canvasses that I have left over from my acrylic days. Do you think that would work?

[@monetcafe]

Jim Kroyer 64 is not old sugar.... it’s all relative right?! And wow! Awesome on your mom turning 100🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻💜Hallelujah! I’ve tried clear gesso on canvas and the texture was still a bit much, but I’ve heard others have success with it.... perhaps if you could sand down the surface a bit to make it smoother. Let me know if you try and God bless sweetheart 😉

[@jimkroyer5280]

@@monetcafe Oh Susan, sorry -- that was not Jim, it was me, Renee. lol Sometimes I forget to check to see who was last signed in to the Facebook account. lol He is 64 also. Okay, thanks. I will try it on the canvas and if it is too toothy, I'll sand it down a bit. I am currently doing a cheetah face painting on a piece of sandpaper I got from the hardware store. I thought I'd have to apply a coat of paint on it first, but so far, its been doing okay. It is a very fine grade. I need to get some pastel pencils though for the detail of the fur. Those pencils are SO expensive. Yikes. Thanks again and God bless.

[@JLPrice-kc2uy]

Wow..! Such a variety for students; including artists of any level to attach their work to. Moving on to the results. Out of all the wonderful color combinations, number 5 has an intense pleasure about it, (spontaneously) As you know atmosphere, ("the pervading tone or mood of a place, or work of art.") gives an "ambiance" saying something is coming, or something is present. Bottom line is... we see the Suns many colors shinning through the " atmosphere" arranging our world; this is where we live. I give thanks to a wonderful, forgiving God; our creator

[@monetcafe]

Thanks brother.... there are times when I am just painting by instinct, or should I say being led by the Spirit. I love it when that happens. Amen to our loving, forgiving God!

[@saloniagrawal5896]

This was nice. Do you also have any thoughts/ideas on using watercolors on stretched canvases, what we could apply, absorbent grounds/pastel grounds maybe. I don't have these grounds available where I live, so I was looking to make them myself using gesso and other materials. Any response would be appreciated. Thank you!

[@allencampbell1058]

Can we put Soft pastels on canvas, and also do we need to prime the canvas before or pastels don't need to prime

[@monetcafe]

Here’s a video where I successfully was able to paint with pastels on canvas. Hope it helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpnFiZRpnsdqiqc

[@sonyaeckers8297]

All of these painting are amazing! Thank you so much for the showing and explaining the various surfaces.

[@lucytyson6275]

Susan, Excellent tutorial on pastel textured backgrounds. I love your work and how you incorporate other mediums with pastels. The “shiny” element in the micaceous iron oxide is “mica flakes” I love this stuff too! I am definitely going to try some of these techniques. Thank you for posting this video.

[@monetcafe]

Lucy Tyson Yay!! So glad you found the video useful and thanks for letting me know about the sparkle being mica! How cool!

[@lenoraogle9560]

What was the site you found the free referance poppy phots please?

[@monetcafe]

I haven’t watch this video in a while but I’ll let you know some of my favorite free reference sites… www.unsplash.com … www.pixabay.com …. www.pmp-Art.com Hope that helps!

[@vickie6228]

Yes! More methods to try for pastel paper-making. Love it, Susan!

[@sabinelloyd8532]

So much great information! Thank you

[@samarberri8648]

Did you feel that any of these methods would be good for detail work? Something equal to U Art 500 grit. Thanks

[@monetcafe]

I'd say the best options would be the "Golden Pastel Ground" or Art Spectrum Colorfix primer. They both allow for a good amount of layering, but the Golden Fine Pumice Gel probably creates the most smooth surface. Artist, Rita Kirkman uses this product to accomplish beautiful pieces. Hope that helps! Oh, and you may want to consider using matt board or gatorboard for a more sturdy support surface. : )

[@anipendakur]

Fantastic video! It certainly deserves a lot more likes!

[@monetcafe]

Anirudha Pendakur thank you so much!!!

[@artat777]

What a fabulous video thanks for taking the time to make it. Quick question. Who’s music are you using I love it

[@monetcafe]

Art Cid thanks so much! I actually had fun making this video and it helped me a lot too! I can’t remember the name of the song, but it is music from the KZbin audio library. They have some music selections for KZbin channel owners to use, and this song sounded happy.

[@cpm4324]

I use a drywall mud spreader, when applying the Gesso and other pastel textures to the surfaces. Unlike brushes, this low-cost tool will provide a smooth and seamless pastel texture without leaving those ridges that paint brushes do. I even used it to spread Golden Pastel Ground on block watercolor paper without causing the paper to buckle. You can pre-spray on a thin coat of workable fixative to the block water color paper to provide a little seal beforehand.

[@gwenboswell7181]

THANK YOU❤❤❤❤❤Just what I need😁🎶😘

[@sugarplum9017]

How would you rate using plain matte medium vs the clear gesso?

[@monetcafe]

The Matte Medium doesn't have any grit to it, so I usually just use it for blending in an underpainting. I use Clear Gesso to get the "grit" for the pastels to have something to hold on to. :)

[@sugarplum9017]

@@monetcafe cool thanks for answering.

[@StrictlyStarsky]

I got the golden pastel ground and i like it better for charcoal than pastels

[@paulvincent2863]

That is just like me.I like to play Classical Music.I just cannot concentrate when I am painting or reading when there is singing.

[@Brendaballas]

Are these only for soft pastels or they can be used for oil pastels too?

[@monetcafe]

I only use soft pastels. Oil pastels are a different product and behave differently as well.

[@Brendaballas]

@@monetcafe thank you!!

[@Jenny-yl2hw]

Amazing! Thank you so much for this informative tutorial. I'm a 68y.o. beginner and was interested in a cheaper pastelmat paper. I appreciate the effort put into this video and gained a lot from it. Living in Australia I'm surprised at the cost of good art paper, expensive!! Thanks to your expertise, I look forward to trying your methods..

[@monetcafe]

I’m excited for you Jenny! It’s never too late to learn and you are so right about pastel papers being expensive. I think that is the same in America and Australia. Have fun sweetheart.

[@gila1959]

Y E S thank you for this video. Right on time . I am new to pastel but the cost of the papers is huge !

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful!!! So glad it's helpful and HAVE FUN!

[@mleav2]

Would pva drywall primer work? it drys with a bit of a gritty surface.

[@monetcafe]

Hmmmmm???? That is a great thought.... gotta check it out!

[@vedatkonyali]

Hi, Susan Thank You Very much for this very informative know-how transferring video. I just want to catch the complete info. For the 7th Method, which kind of pastel do you use? Water soluble oil, Water soluble soft, soft only or oil only pastel? thanks.

[@monetcafe]

Hi Vedat, I actually just used soft pastel only. I’m glad the video has been helpful for you!

[@mirzahosein2261]

great video..

[@kristanmackay7607]

Thank you for all the information. Hopefully I will find time to paint soon.

[@libellula3313]

Thanks great info.

[@naenae5287]

I have not tried a pastel yet and I am watching videos to learn. After watching yours, I was wondering about fine sand that I purchased from the dollar store for some of my acrylic paintings for texture. Is it possible to use that for grit and what would you mix it with?

[@comette4u]

Which type of watercolor paper are you using, (hot press, cold press?)

[@monetcafe]

Cold press 😊😊😊

[@ArtistWizardry]

Awesome!! :)

[@Lulu.G-61]

Beautiful and good info!

[@fabrislr9368]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing. Just one question, if I add two coats of clear gesso, does it get better? I mean, can you paint more layers or it makes no difference?

[@monetcafe]

That’s actually a great question and while I sometimes add two coats of clear gesso… I notice a slight difference in getting more layers, but definitely not double the difference. I often can work just fine with one layer.

[@hollygF1M]

Mica is a layered "rock" which chimmers.

[@monetcafe]

Thanks Holly! I do love Mica and how it shimmers within certain rocks.

[@seattlesue178]

You have a wonderful sense of color, Susan! I'm inspired, just ordered some textured clear gesso. What did you spray onto one of your paintings at the mid-point, and why?

[@VirginiaVredeveld]

Thanks

[@monetcafe]

You are very welcome Virginia!

[@birgitblume4980]

Thank you very much for this super video!!! it's really helpful!

[@dselbyart]

Loved it. I've tried the Art Spectrum and like it , but as an oil painter I have LOTS of clear gesso, so I'm in. Thanx

[@fauxurfancy]

How does the Colorfix compare to Golden?

[@deryckmonsour6989]

I think micaceous means it contains mica ... a sparkling ore that used to be used to insulate appliances like toasters ... FYI

[@monetcafe]

Yes.... I learned this after making the video. So cool!

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

Do you use the "fine" Golden Pumice Gel or a courser one on your 3rd painting?

[@monetcafe]

For the 3rd one I used Art Spectrum Colorfix Primer (which I like), and for the 4th one I used Golden Fine Pumice Gel, (which I also like alot) :). Hope that helps!

[@sassycat378]

Great info. Thank you

[@alphotheone]

Thanks, great info. Sorry, ( possibly missed your mentioning it) but doesn't the type and weight of support come into consideration when using gesso on one side (buckling) any board other than gator board. Painting the opposite side should counterbalance the paper or board.

[@veystone2580]

Sadly the Quinacridone/Nickel Azo Gold has been discontinued. 😢 Could you recommend an alternative?

[@thisisthewronghat2706]

Spraying milk lightly intermittently through a pastel painting both restores tooth and fixes the pastel on normal paper. Be careful though, like most fixatives it darkens the pastels, so i always spray the underpaintings and darks before goìng on top with the lighter pastels. I use this technique on average sketchbook paper, and because they run out of teeth very quickly, i use milk whenever i find the pastels dont layer anymore which means i spray like 5 times inbetween each painting lol. I hope it helps anyone who cant afford pastel paper. The downside is that you need to wait till the milk has dried before continuing, and that can take the spontaneity out of the experience.

[@monetcafe]

Wow, I have absolutely never heard of that! Who would’ve thought that you could use milk to spray on pastel paintings? Do you know if it will change the color over time? I’m thinking that it would sour? Lol!

[@thisisthewronghat2706]

@@monetcafe im not entirely sure, but my charcol drawings dont smell at all and iv its been months! And as long as you fix the dark layers before applying the lights, then the light layer should reappear after the paper dries. I honestly found out because apparently van gogh did the same thing! Honestly im still experimenting

[@doreenaitken5308]

Wow!!!!!! 😊

[@glennypaxton7389]

How do these compare to Uart 400?

[@monetcafe]

Well, it's hard to beat UArt for it's consistent surface, but I'd say that the "Art Spectrum Colourfix Primer" and the "Golden Pastel Ground" come the closests to a ready made pastel paper. Also, another artist friend recommended lightly sanding the finished surface to get a more uniform final result. ;)

[@glennypaxton7389]

@@monetcafe Thank you!

[@therestlessknitter4290]

I don’t know if anyone has mentioned this, but the sparkle comes from the “micaceous” or mica resembling particles in the mineral.

[@deborahsbackwoodsstudio1369]

Wow when you said one product had glitter in it, my brain zeroed in on that statement. I have some very very fine textured gliter I wondered if, lol maybe if I were to throw some into my white gesso. Any comments would be awesome.

[@SusanJenkinsArtist]

Deborah's Backwoods Studio Oh yes!! That sounds like a great idea! Gotta try it! Let me know if you try it soon and it works 👍🏻💜

[@deborahsbackwoodsstudio1369]

Can anyone answer this ? Please can I use bathing dust for chinchillas, this is a dust but it's got a soft fine grit to it.

[@monetcafe]

Deborah's Backwoods Studio Very interesting! I remember that dust with my chinchillas. It sure seems like a good product to add more grit. I can’t remember how much it costs, but I’d love to try it.

[@deborahsbackwoodsstudio1369]

@@monetcafe thank you, I'll let you know how it turns out

[@elizabethbaumler4098]

I love this video. I’m new to pastels and really need help. I am actually trying to do a p aster of my daughters friend’s grandson. I know - I am an optimist 🥴

[@monetcafe]

You can do it! If you haven't joined our Facebook group I highly recommend it. You can get all kinds of helpful instruction from so many pastel artists. Every level is welcome :)

[@catmeow333]

Just discovered you, 💚

[@yelesomeus4534]

Anyone have an idea work best with colour pencils? I use pastelmat for colour pencils🤔

[@monetcafe]

I have heard that Pastelmat is excellent for colored pencils.... or pastel pencils.

[@dshe8637]

Wow! Was this sponsored by Golden?

[@monetcafe]

No… they just gave me some free product.

[@marywagner9927]

I just bought pumice. Why were you not thrilled with it?

[@glennypaxton7389]

how do I join Utube channel?

[@monetcafe]

Glenny Paxton just hit the “subscribe “ button at the top of this video next to my channel name 👍🏻👍🏻👏👏

[@glennypaxton7389]

@@monetcafe Sorry, I meant the Facebook group.

[@monetcafe]

@@glennypaxton7389 OH... ;) It's called, Monet Cafe' Art Group. Just do a search for it on Facebook and ask to join. You have to answer 3 simple questions, but be sure to say you heard about the group on KZbin. Hope to see you in the group :)

[@glennypaxton7389]

@@monetcafe Thank you.

[@Mail2elr]

Question: Do one paint, or draw with pastels?

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @Mail2elr I suppose that depends on who you're talking to, but I call it paint. Happy painting!

[@rayemartineau8644]

💓👍👀 4/3/22

[@marijasimic689]

❤👌👍

[@minnahumble2294]

By “hard pastels” do you mean oil or wax pastels? I’m unclear whether pastel paper is only necessary for soft, or chalk, pastels. In fact, I’m not clear about the difference between hard pastels, soft pastels, oil pastels, wax pastels …

[@debbieceron4816]

21:55 The ones with the abhorrent ideas always tell on themselves, ew

[@monetcafe]

I don’t understand your comment.

[@barbararivera2380]

:)