Pastels on black paper

[@joycebutler3494]

I do like to use black paper when I want the most contrast with my dark areas. It also imparts a unique quality to the entire painting, by not trying to cover the black entirely. I enjoyed watching your experiment with black paper and think your result was quite nice. Love the way you demonstrate getting the values and warm and cool colors work harmoniously. Thanks

[@mermaidtingzzz]

The end result is stellar! I really love the way you approached the boa and adding interest to the right side of the paper but the drawing would be even stronger if you would've let more of the black paper through more and really utilized how it pushes those pastels forward. It may be more so a matter of set up so I think for your next black paper project you should use a darker set up so you can really see where the paper can do some of the work for you! Overall beautiful work!

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Hi Ari, many thanks for your lovely comment. I agree with you that a darker set up would be more conducive to using black paper and getting the most from it. With this setup, I purposely went light to see how I would react to the black paper. With experience, one could leave the black paper more visible in the headband. I just found that with so much light shades, leaving black speckles would have annoyed me lol!!

[@kstiles2549]

really like the out takes at the end and your humor. I've used pastels on black paper and got decent results. Like you said, it does pose challenges. Thanks for sharing. Keep the videos coming.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

+K Stiles Thanks so much both for the compliment and the encouragement :-) I think I will pursue the black paper project for awhile and se where it takes me.

[@rosecrerar6384]

Thank you for this demo. I have some sitting on the shelf, waiting for when I figure out how to paint on it. Thanks again.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

I'll look forward to hearing how you like it Rose!

[@jenfleming9412]

Beautiful. I love the way you build up your layers of colours.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Gosh thanks so much Jennifer!!

[@lakesidegumtrees]

Thanks so much Gail your a wonderful tutor... and love your blogs too

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Thank you so much riverlandart! And glad you are a blog subscriber as well :-)

[@howlingwind1937]

I have used black paper but didn't enjoy or like my finished picture, however, it may have been my inexperience at the time. I like your picture though, but I mostly use pastels on canvas, have you ever used canvas? Thank you for sharing. Cheers!😁

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Ohhhh pastels on canvas! I would have to say mostly I haven't used soft pastels on canvas except in a mixed media context. I have used charcoal on canvas but for some reason, the canvas hasn't pulled me for use with pastels. I'd love to know why you choose to work on canvas!

[@binglboo]

As I posted yesterday I have used black paper for four ballet dancers and I think it has worked very well. Do you think by smoothing pastels you lose the sparkle of this medium.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Dave yes, I think when you smooth, smudge, blend, whatever you call it, with your finger, rag, pipe insulation or whatever handy tool you use, you do lose some of the sparkle-y quality of pastels. In fact, I made a video about that very topic! kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6nLpYJoedCCh6c

[@christierella]

You inspire me! I liked, and subscribed! Thank you!

[@GailSibleyArtist]

I'm delighted to hear that Christierella!

[@konstantinospapaioannou2588]

Great skill, great video. Thank you.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

I thank you Konstantinos! 😊

[@chrisfit]

Do you use your fingers or a blending stump to rub the pastels in when working with sanded paper? What about regular pastel paper? Thanks. Great vid!

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Hi Chris, Glad you enjoyed the video! To answer your question, basically I don't blend. Rather, I layer and create colour variations that way.

[@rebeccawong1]

U r so fun ❤️❤️

[@junktrunk5333]

awesome experiment! very informative as i have never used black paper for pastels before :) also, i loved the bloopers at the end, the troubles of speaking in front of a camera can be rather anoyying hahahaha

[@GailSibleyArtist]

+keelan Rushby (JunkTrunk) Many thanks!! Perhaps this will inspire you to try black paper?

[@forestdweller2661]

wonderful skill....thank you.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

You are very kind. Thank you!

[@movedon12]

I am using black paper with pan pastels sea scape and I am at a standstill wth it 😤

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Carole, is the standstill because of the pastels, the paper, or the subject?

[@ladyinblack3398]

It's not pronounced Schminki it's pronounced Schminke please. The e at the end is like the beginning e in elephant.

[@GailSibleyArtist]

Hah hah Lady in Black. Of course I know that now but evidently not when I made the video. Great way to help everyone understand the pronunciation. Thanks!!