Witness The Amazing Fusion Of Alcohol And Soft Pastel - A Game-changing Technique!

[@monetcafe]

Wow! I was thrilled with so many things about this technique. Especially how little pastel you need after you liquify the underpainting with alcohol. Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think!

[@bmac5242]

Once I finish outdoor planting today; going to head into the studio to try this! Love the technique and your finished painting:)

[@monetcafe]

Yay!@@bmac5242 Hope you love it as much as I did!

[@StephanieBergamo-g5q]

Nice to see the reference image as the painting unfolded. Thank you.

[@cpaints1]

Thoroughly enjoyed so much structured how-to in a relatively short video. Never felt rushed and you kept the idea of creative interpretations/license alive as your painting was not a slave to the reference--in fact is more "alive" than the photo with subtle energy & color additions which seem to add a real sense light possible in the actual (though manipulated) landscape.

[@MicheleDRArts]

🌬🎨I love it. Beautiful work 👍

[@jurel-enlatado1]

Can confirm, alcohol really helps with my creative process. Specially when served cold.

[@monetcafe]

Ha ha.... I get that. And just as a side note.... any clear alcohol will work with this painting process too. Vodka will do the trick!

[@jurel-enlatado1]

@@monetcafe Jokes aside, I loved what it did to your underpainting, didn't expect such a good result. Good work (as always)

[@monetcafe]

Blesss you! @@jurel-enlatado1

[@garthok6224]

excellent comment!!! LOL

[@monetcafe]

I know, right?!!!! @@garthok6224 😂🤣

[@cynthiacooke9785]

Thanks from a beginner 82 years young

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @cynthiacooke9785 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! Bless you!!!!

[@Josie1987]

This looks fun. Beautiful painting.

[@artistickevful]

Well….it started off really well. The soft pastels went down like a dream. Some time after using the alcohol things went wrong. I staggered across my studio, tripped on the easel and landed on my soft pastels. I think I’ll use water next time. On a serious note; love love love this technique! Absolutely amazed by my results. Thank you so much Susan. You have a new fan.

[@monetcafe]

Oh sweetheart, so sorry for your challenges. I can definitely relate to days like that. I’m glad you like the technique though!

[@andreasmith3705]

I absolutely love your work. I enjoy your humour & generosity & your beautiful choice of words - you also paint with your words - when you describe things & express your views & opinions. I love the way that you engage people & are mindful of your audience. Thank you. May you go from strength to strength. ❤

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @andreasmith3705! Your comment blessed me.

[@rosalindstone7388]

I have never worked with pastels before but was gifted a whole bunch by someone who gave up! Your beautiful painting has inspired me to try your technique. Thank you

[@mel29lemast]

Very interesting. I can't wait to try this technique.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @mel29lemast! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@jeanking6662]

I'm going to save this video. I love the technique and there's a great amount of useful information.

[@maryannshaw-uc1ke]

I was an elementary art teacher for almost 31 years, and using oil pastels were among my kids favorite things to do. I knew enough to help them, but I always did oil paintings. Awhile back, I had an accident, and have been unable to stand at my easel and paint my larger canvases, so I decided to try oil pastels. Well, it’s not as easy as you make it look, and I soon realized I was clueless about how to proceed, so I was happy to accidentally find you on uTube. I knew they washed off my hands, so I knew they were water soluble, so I naively started on my journey. I was scribbling something on a piece of paper, and started with a very abstract image, which ‘wept” so much that I had to tape my mouth shut! I have started a still life, , but……. It is not nearly as easy as oil painting. but I will get up in the morning and see if I have any alcohol. I didn’t mean to write a letter, but I wanted you to know how great full I feel to have found you. Maryann,

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @maryannshaw-uc1ke 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!

[@pamelalyon22]

These aren’t oil pastels in this demo.

[@bonnieblenders4606]

A creation is a success when one wants to step into the scene and explore. This is definitely a success. You've lightened my mood and inspired me to keep going! Thanks 😊

[@ConnieSnodgrass-jq9zt]

Very nice!!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @ConnieSnodgrass-jq9zt! I'm so glad you liked it!

[@mary-allisonobrien3136]

This is beautiful. I am a new watercolor artist. I haven’t tried any other medium, but after watching this tutorial I’m inspired to give pastels a try.

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! You may fall in love with pastels like i did!

[@rebeccakahrs7290]

Wow….Susan this is just gorgeous. I feel like you have just taken your work to a new level with this technique. Love it! Thanks for sharing

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @rebeccakahrs7290! Your comment blessed me.

[@michellewelch6013]

Fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing this technique. Im glad you mentioned the dust, thats so tough for my alllergies and yet the colors and beauty of pastels is so wonderful! I cant wait to try the alcohol technique. And yes, prayer always helps. :). Blessings to you!

[@monetcafe]

Praise Jesus! Thanks @michellewelch6013! I can't help but shout praises to my Savior!

[@tillyousby5821]

Just loving this Susan, thank you for sharing ❤🎨🙂

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @tillyousby5821, I appreciate that so much!

[@ginawood5991]

Thank you so much for sharing your talent. Your painting is absolutely beautiful!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @ginawood5991! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@cuzaosagado1]

Beautiful

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @cuzaosagado1, I appreciate that so much!

[@sylvandryad6207]

Wow !!! I wish I had seen your videos back in the 80's & 90's when I used soft pastels a lot to do portraits etc !!! I am glad that I found you. I live in Canada, on the Atlantic coast on an Island. Prince Edward Island !!! I will be watching more of your videos for sure !!! I loved this outcome using the underpainting !!! Thank you for doing this channel !!!

[@tomwaite4594]

THE GARDEN ISLAND! You certainly have beauty at every turn

[@michaelcody3829]

Fantastic thanks Susan, I look forward to trying this technique, greetings and blessings from Queensland. Lovely music too.

[@johnbfingal]

Thanks!

[@monetcafe]

Wow, thank you so much for the super thanks! How sweet.

[@leonormartinez6378]

Love this technique for an under painting. Thank you for sharing.

[@monetcafe]

@leonormartinez6378 thanks for watching!! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed it!

[@mariondavis3444]

You are definitely giving me the inspiration to retry my pastels. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @mariondavis3444 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!

[@juanitabarnett8232]

I’m so excited to try this technique! Thanks!

[@StephanieSwift-jt3hz]

It's nice to hear "Schmincke" pronounced correctly.

[@mmckenzie602]

Beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this technique ❤

[@monetcafe]

You are so welcome!

[@ruthsnow3417]

I usually do watercolor, but I love your pastel tutorials!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much 😀

[@tthappyrock368]

Beautiful! Love this technique!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @tthappyrock368! I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks so much for watching!

[@jilljones2311]

Very helpful

[@monetcafe]

Glad to hear that

[@smilinglynn9584]

What a beautiful piece! Thank you so much for your excellent video and for sharing the beauty you create. Nice! 5*

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @smilinglynn9584, I appreciate that so much!

[@VegetarianLamb]

So beautiful! Thank you sister for sharing your gift with us!!!❤

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @VegetarianLamb thank you for watching and supporting me! I can't say thanks enough!

[@connieratti.ADBestyoucanbe]

Enjoyed your clarity and honesty in your instructions

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @connieratti.ADBestyoucanbe! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@artbysangz3170]

Great info on underpainting and the technique of applying it with alcohol. Loved the final result.

[@angelalabauve9131]

Thank you so much for sharing this under paint technique. I don’t have a dedicated studio, so this is so helpful. The outcome of your painting is beautiful.

[@davemartin1534]

I like it😁

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @davemartin1534! I'm so glad you liked it!

[@yogibakshi2375]

❤🎉🎨⚘️beautiful painting. Love the blue mountain's at the back against the cloud's and the reflection's in the water.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much 😀

[@celestevazferreira1363]

Absolutely inspiring!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @celestevazferreira1363! I'm so glad you liked it!

[@susangast6869]

Wonderful demo, I’m primarily an oil painter who is becoming more interested in pastels and I really like this painterly technique.

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @susangast6869 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!

[@TheTimeshadows]

My first viewing of your channel. Your underpainting was lovely enough for me, but seeing your final was a real joy. Thanks.

[@monetcafe]

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

[@hellodenise9612]

Love you work! I used this technique way back in the 90's in my Commercial Art classes. We were doing marker drawings and we used the alcohol markers and prismacolor pencils. The prismacolor pencil would just melt. It was great. If you needed a very saturated color you could add the pastel and then use a cotton ball tip and carefully rub the alcohol in it. This was done on tracing paper or vellum. Turns out really nice!

[@monetcafe]

How cool!!! Thanks for sharing that :)

[@patriciacarter9774]

Excellent video!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @patriciacarter9774, I appreciate that so much!

[@jenniferbachman5034]

Your art is absolutely beautiful. Can’t wait to try this myself ❤

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @jenniferbachman5034 thanks so much!

[@TriciaFriou]

Love this technique

[@monetcafe]

@TriciaFriou Thanks! Me too. :) Happy painting!

[@carolmacdougall4112]

Thank you so much. I love pastel work because the details can be brought forward so well. It ws very interesting to watch especially the alchohol underpainting as i have never done that nefore. I shall defibately try it. So pleased to have been able to learn this technique.

[@vickiweiss311]

WOW! Cooool technique!

[@monetcafe]

Glad you like it!

[@kaydonahue]

My favorite bit is the bright figure reclining in the sky! The Rising Sun .... Or Setting?

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @kaydonahue left for the viewer's imagination. So glad you liked it.

[@betsyoglesartist]

Really pretty! Thanks for sharing this new technique.

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @betsyoglesartist, I appreciate that so much! Thanks for watching!

[@GloriaRN]

Thank you! You have inspired me to try pastels again. Your painting is beautiful!

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! Have fun!!!

[@YesItsTom2U]

I've been thinking about getting back into pastels and this video came along at the perfect time. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

I'm so glad! it’s meant to be! You can do it.

[@_SHMOOLONZO_]

Thank you for this lesson. You are a wonderful artist! ~

[@monetcafe]

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

[@sallyalter6003]

So lovely. Thank you so much. I will get back to painting now.

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful!🙌🏻🤗❤️💜

[@ryno583]

Thank you for great little technique like use alcohol and for inspiration and helping take the fear out of using pastel!

[@susankolpack7044]

Beautiful painting and great technique. Thank you for tips on products and their use. 😊God bless you for your inspirational comments ✝️‼️

[@monetcafe]

You are so welcome!!! Praise our sweet Lord🙌🏻💜👍🏻

[@paolam9198]

Just beautiful, wonderful work

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @paolam9198! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@animemusic8]

BEAUTIFUL! I'm a newbie in arts and learning a lot from your videos!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome! Thank you!😊

[@benicio1967]

What a gift to have such vision and imagination. Thank you for sharing your art. This was just lovely. I really enjoyed this!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @benicio1967! Your comment blessed me.

[@vikkimikkola5957]

I have a child portait that I need to paint- this technique I think is just the ticket! Beautiful.

[@TmarkN]

I just ordered myself a set of Oil Pastels and now I wish I had ordered Soft Pastels. I want to use them with the alcohol. It looks like fun.

[@monetcafe]

Hi, @TmarkN.OH NO!!! A lot of my teaching can be used with oil pastels, but not the alcohol. When you get ready to place another order, here is a list in my Amazon Shop of some pastel painting products I recommend for beginner pastel artists. Thank you so much for watching! Happy Painting! www.amazon.com/shop/monetcafewithartistsusanjenkins/list/2NY2AMTL7D050?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_d

[@bettertomorrow2625]

You can blend oil pastels with OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits). Gambin Gamsol or something similar. It's inexpensive.

[@alera520]

I absolutely love this! I didn’t know you could use pastel oils like this! ❤❤

[@angelaarkway2223]

Thank you. I learned a lot. The technique was not new to me. However the way you applied it was. Again, thank you.

[@carrikartes1403]

Thank you very much. I have struggled with the pastel medium. I have never taken a class or watched a tutorial before. I learned so much from you already. I am now excited at the idea of attempting a pastel with your teaching

[@monetcafe]

Wonderful! that makes me so happy! I have so many free lessons on my channel so have fun!

[@leashamcqueen3460]

Wonderful

[@kellyrivers4769]

Beautiful!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @kellyrivers4769

[@marionoz9980]

Just beautiful. Thank yoy for sharing this technique.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @marionoz9980! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@MsBrushwork]

I love your work!!

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much!

[@sabid100]

Loved this video!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @sabid100 thanks so much! I appreciate that!

[@cindybohl9593]

I just discovered you! Very interesting technique! Can’t t wait to try it! Beautiful painting❤️

[@JoshuaFinancialPL]

beautiful. great vid production, too perfect music choice during speed painting.

[@mreinstein48]

One of the most beautiful creation you've ever done! Exquisite!! 😍😍😍

[@monetcafe]

Oh wow! what a great comment. Thank you so much!

[@mreinstein48]

@@monetcafeAnd I know Art. ; )

[@willrichards4093]

Gorgeous and Majestic!!!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @willrichards4093 you're too kind! Thank you so much. I appreciate the support! Thanks for watching!

[@susanfield2444]

Excellent content

[@monetcafe]

Much appreciated🤗

[@Alice-bb2qs]

This video really inspired me to get back into pastels. So excited to try this technique! Thank you for sharing 💗

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @Alice-bb2qs

[@Melissa-pb6wv]

LOL . . . I thought this video was about drinking alcohol and drawing with pastels! Hahahaha

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @Melissa-pb6wv

[@robynwhite5662]

That’s funny! Karen Margulis uses vodka in one of her videos.

[@rftibbe]

JUST WOW!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @rftibbe, I appreciate that so much!

[@deepowers3117]

This is an amazing technique. It was almost as though the under painting was a picture in itself. I have not used pastels and think I need to start with something more basic than this technique, but I intend to keep it in mind for when I am a little more experienced. The idea of liquefying the soft pastels has definitely given me some ideas for experimentation. Thank you so much for showing us this wonderful technique!

[@monetcafe]

Glad it was helpful!☺️❤️💜

[@catherinegoodsett-wein3313]

❤❤❤

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @catherinegoodsett-wein3313

[@lydiagreenartandhorses]

Lovely vibrant colours, I haven't tried using alcohol yet, but after I watched Liz Heywood Sullivans video last night and yours today I have got the bug, so I will be trying it.

[@AGLondon2312]

I really appreciated the discussion of techniques about under painting. I have been doing them for years, but had to figure out some of the things you discussed here. Recently, I used harder pastels for an under painting and experienced issues with blending when I used the alcohol. Now, from your video, I know why. Thank you.

[@monetcafe]

@AGLondon2312 so glad to hear you found this useful! Thanks for watching!

[@dorothyg3012]

I've always started the underpainting with hard pastels, so can't wait to try your suggestion to use soft pastels instead. Beautiful painting -results are stunning!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @dorothyg3012, I hope to see it if you do! Thank you so much!

[@LaTazzaNera]

Amazing. Can’t wait to start my painting adventure thanks to this video! My 54 birthday is on Monday and soft pastel colors and a canvas will be my present to myself 🥰

[@monetcafe]

That’s so exciting! You can find hundreds of lessons here on my channel so have fun sweetheart!

[@wormpielars979]

you're a SAVIOUR thank the stars this video came out just when i was struggling with opaqueness and pastels

[@paulahaynes6131]

Oh this new underpainting technique is so smart and I love that it is in the natural colors. However I do still love to see the complimentary colors shine through in your other pieces.

[@monetcafe]

Thanks for that input, @paulahaynes6131! I'll have to keep that in mind!

[@charvey87544]

thank you!!! this really inspired me to get my pastels out!!!

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @charvey87544 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!

[@pamelajunck146]

Thank you! I Did not know you could do this at all. I’m fascinated by this technique💐

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @pamelajunck146! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@Jancass5]

Very, very interesting! I have been taught to use hard pastels first, but I have sooo many more soft pastels! Glad to be able to use them in my underpaintings!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @Jancass5

[@kellylaher7512]

Soo beautiful. Your use of color is chefs kiss!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @kellylaher7512, I appreciate that so much!

[@cecileroy557]

Absolutely STUNNING!!!!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @cecileroy557 ty so much!

[@useruser3616]

I love the technique, I've always wondered how alcohol was used.

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @useruser3616

[@nanwright2366]

lovely! I learned so much!!!!

[@monetcafe]

YAY!! Thank you! @nanwright2366 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!

[@momijiyamanishi4548]

I have never done a pastel painting, but this one is very inspirational. Your rendition i like better than the original picture. Thank you so much.

[@meredithmiller4848]

this will be a fun technique to try.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @meredithmiller4848! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@DMYMD1]

Great demonstration. I’ve used alcohol before but not much. When I paint a pastel plein air at the Plein Air Easton Quick Draw I think I’ll surprise the crowds with a more liberal use of the alcohol in a spray bottle. They’ll love it.

[@lauranay5156]

I ran across this tutorial, sort of by accident. I haven’t watched many tutorials but the way she explains and teaches everything is a mark of an experienced communicator. I felt like this is something I could do easily, even though I’ve never worked with pastels before. I enjoyed this very much thank you.

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @lauranay5156! Your comment blessed me.

[@Neorhim]

WoW that is cool, I've never heard about using alcohol with soft pastels. The light of your sunset is amazing.

[@monetcafe]

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

[@pipemma1893]

I love that you used the photo as a reference, not as a tyrant. Beautiful 😊

[@monetcafe]

Thank you! 😊

[@lornamclaughlin2406]

Wonderful lesson! I have been dissatisfied with masters when doing an Alcohol wet under painting!

[@monetcafe]

Awesome @lornamclaughlin2406, I appreciate that so much!

[@jennw6809]

In the opening shots, I was thinking "wow, what set is that, it has so many greens!" Excited to see it in action, it looks great for landscapes. BTW I got a Schminke "Dakota Violet" (which is exclusive to Dakota and is similar to Terry Ludwig Eggplant). I wondered how useful it'd be, being so soft, but I found it to be great for finishing dark marks near the base of trees. As a beginner it's easy to lose my darks! I hadn't thought of using it as a wet underpainting, but will have to try that now. I do have a couple Terry Ludwig Eggplant sticks on the way, along with 28 other colors! Finally took the plunge and bought some open stock with the recent sale. May Terry rest in peace, and may his family find comfort.

[@monetcafe]

So glad you took advantage of the TL sale!!! And that's some good info about the Dakota Violet being similar to the Eggplant color. I've got to get some! Hope you enjoy trying the wet underpainting technique!

[@jennw6809]

@@monetcafe I think the reasoning behind it is great, especially for us beginners who can easily overlayer! I saw the same philosophy being expressed by Les Darlow; I watched his demo for PanPastels recently and that was one of his reasons for loving that product (you apply so little product, it leaves most of the tooth left). I found the Liz-Haywood Sullivan video you watched (I think) and I look forward to seeing that too.

[@thedarndestthingbymikelang485]

This was awesome and beautiful way to do pastels

[@monetcafe]

Thank you so much, @thedarndestthingbymikelang485! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

[@DeniCaryPhillips]

Love how the reference informed your work, rather than you making an exact copy. Such beauty!

[@anabellamaldonado9617]

Thanks for this wonderful tutorial love the results I am going to try it that way. God bless you

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @anabellamaldonado9617 that's awesome!!

[@marthadowd2340]

thank you so much for the excellent tutorial!

[@monetcafe]

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @marthadowd2340 Thanks for watching!! Happy painting!