How to Paint Black Fur, Part II - Working on the Body, Blurred Background, Grass and Whiskers

[@CaroleRodrigue]

For those wondering which pastel supplies I like to work with, here’s a blog post I wrote last year. ☺️ carolerodrigue.com/blog/137510/my-favorite-pastel-pencils-sticks-and-papers-for-artists

[@jimholt616]

Thank you, your patient advice and knowledge is refreshingly easy to follow, fantastic art. 😊

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Jim Holt I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for the kind words! ☺️

[@kathykoeslin3361]

I wish I could share one of my pictures of my black labrador. For the highlights I used white and now I looked at the picture of her again and I see all this blue!!

[@catkin54]

Loved the whole thing…..thank you x

[@joyellis3354]

Hi CAROL you videos are wonderful so inspiring I could watch you all day thankyou much appreciated

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Joy Ellis Awe! Thank you! I'm so happy you're enjoying my videos! 😃

[@Roxanne4002]

Thank you and I think, I can honestly speak for everyone that you are greatly appreciated for doing your tutorials in real time. You are a wonderful teacher.

[@CaroleRodrigue]

You’re very kind! Thank you!

[@wonkywhisker1036]

Unbelievably good. I’ve got a black cat to paint for a friend and I’d kind off given up 🙁 thank you x

[@claudiacouch2125]

Fantastic! The cat looks like he could jump right off of the paper!

[@HelenAdams-s9n]

Absolutely tremendously

[@ml09baker8]

Perfection. your expertise really shines. Blessings!!!

[@CaroleRodrigue]

You’re too kind! Thank you! ☺️

[@pamelawissinger1838]

Carole, thank you so much. I am excited to adapt your method to draw/paint a dark grey cat.

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Pamela Wissinger Have fun!

[@FRAN2639]

Truly Amazing.

[@joanramsay4313]

Beautiful work and lovely to see the blurring i would love a lesson in values thank you for your generous teaching.

[@CaroleRodrigue]

My pleasure Joan! Hopefully I can eventually find time for a values lesson. ☺️

[@rmc9076]

Carol Wow Wow! I’m a dog person but love all of God’s creatures! This black cat is so beautiful!! I’m just incredibly grateful for such a great lesson . I’ve been doing oils & acrylics. Last year took some lessons from a pastel artist I fell in love with the softness of pet portraits and went full board into pastels . Your lesson was so very helpful things I didn’t get ! So thank you ‼️ On this “Thanks Giving day 2019 “. Would love to take lessons from you . 💕

[@CaroleRodrigue]

I’m so happy you got something from these Renee! Happy painting and I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving week-end!

[@leighadams9002]

Yes please a lesson on values would be greatly appreciated

[@Artlover22]

Thanks Carole ☘️ 😊

[@Kharmagain]

Gorgeous!!! Thank you so much for sharing your process! :-D !!

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Kharmagain I’m glad you enjoyed it! 😄

[@lisvandergeer]

Hi Carole, what a nice idea to release this tutorial so we can learn from you. I am aan oilpainter but try pastels from time to time. Thanks. Lis

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Lis van der Geer My pleasure Lis!

[@maxineglass2402]

I love how you did the beautiful black cat. I’m trying to do a very light grey pit bull puppy. I’d love any advice you could give me! Do you happen to have any tutorials with 😮grey animals? I learned so much watching this black cat lesson! Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge!!! Pastel beginner.

[@fhulkster]

SUPER PASTEL PAINTING

[@CaroleRodrigue]

HAZ Thank you!

[@kohosalmon3637]

wow that was great , I never thought you could get that detailed with pastels . cheers

[@CaroleRodrigue]

They’re awesome for detail. I’m glad you enjoyed this! Cheers back atcha!

[@28happenstance]

Fantastic piece! Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@CaroleRodrigue]

My pleasure! I’m glad you liked this!

[@vivienlawson7256]

You are amazing I have learned so much about values and would love to learn more thanks again 🇦🇺

[@CaroleRodrigue]

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@lisaedwards6384]

Yes! Lesson on values! 🤚🏻

[@johanneremillard263]

Yes please, i would like a lesson on values. Thank you so much 👍💐

[@MrSnipper805]

Brilliant tutorial it will help me a lot

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Peter Mace I'm glad you found this helpful! ☺️

[@alissacarde2721]

Is there any way you think you could do a video on all your pastel supplies, and why you use them specifically?

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Alissa Carde' Great suggestion! I just might do that jn the future. I did write a blog post last year on this exact topic though. If you’re interested, here’s the link. ☺️ carolerodrigue.com/blog/137510/my-favorite-pastel-pencils-sticks-and-papers-for-artists

[@alissacarde2721]

@@CaroleRodrigue I will definitely read it thank you so much!just one quick question do you think carandache pastel pencils are worth the price , since their so soft can they still get detail?

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Alissa Carde' Absolutely! The reason I live them is because they’re so soft. Some of the lighter colours are dry, but I find them to be great for layering because they are so soft. Having said that, if someone is just learning, the Carbothello are great and much less expensive. I also really love the Gioconda.

[@dianechambers9174]

Hi Carole, thank you for all the help with your tutorials, I have the pad of pastelmat but I can't find bigger sheets in Canada, to order from the USA is expensive because of the size.

[@CaroleRodrigue]

Hi Diane, I usually order it on Amazon. I have a link in the description for a 12 x 16 pad. The shipping is free with them too, but it does take longer as it comes from overseas. And I'm happy the tutorials are helpful! :-D

[@leerag]

Thank you for tutorial. Did what I could following tutorial but botched my background totally. Should have watched you do background. I skipped it due to impatience.

[@uniqueartbybernadette]

Brilliant tutorial. Please can you tell me what caren D'ache dark grey colour you used to go over the blue and purple on the head. You say dark grey, but can you let me know the number plz as I cannot find it under just dark grey. Thankyou

[@CaroleRodrigue]

This was so long ago and I don’t have the info anymore. You can use any dark grey and it will do. Trust me. Painting is not about recipes and exact colours. It’s about learning to see and using what you think will work. That’s what will help you develop your style and range of knowledge much more than following exact colours. Trust me! I know ppl just starting out feel it’s important to have all the exact colours, but it really isn’t. Best of luck. ☺️

[@rachellestrella]

Precioso

[@angelahyde7133]

Hi Carole ,,just found you , a great tutorial,,learnt so much , do you put a spray fixative on top when you have finished the painting..I made the mistake of not using the protective paper for my hand and on that bit I wondered if it would be wise to spray Aleona's fixative on top and then I can get another layer,,What do you think? or shall I put it down to experience,

[@CaroleRodrigue]

I’m not familiar with that brand of fixative, but make sure it’s a workable fixative. Then you should be able to keep working that area. As for a final protective spray no. I never spray and pastelmat doesn’t need it. Spray might in fact damage your work. I’m glad you’re enjoying the tutorial!

[@angelahyde7133]

@@CaroleRodrigue Yes it is a workable fixative and I only use it if I am desperate,,thank you so much for your help and no I wont put a finisher fixative on my work ,,thank you

[@deanomatino]

Fantastic! Just wondered which paper you use? Thank you :)

[@CaroleRodrigue]

deanomatino This is Clairefontaine Pastelmat.

[@deanomatino]

@@CaroleRodrigue Thank you! Awesome paintings :)

[@giselesimard2433]

How do you know when to stop

[@CaroleRodrigue]

You don’t really, it’s a decision. I usually stop when I feel I’ve attained what I wanted, or I feel I can’t add anymore, or I’m at a point where more work might ruin the painting, or I just make the decision that I’m done. Sometimes even after deciding, I’ll notice things weeks later that I want to redo or keep working on. With every piece, you can keep working on it forever and try to attain perfection. Perfection doesn’t exist, so you just have to say, that’s it. Done.

[@paulamoors]

Really scary