The Magic of Mark Making with Pastels: Floral Demo

Mark Making is the way we apply pastel. Every artist has their own personal way of making marks or personal calligraphy. In this demo I show you a variety of ways to make marks with pastels. I invite you to join me and have fun painting and being mindful of your mark making!
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[@carriepolster399]

I am so glad I found you Karen! You are my inspiration. I had not done any art work since high school , 1977 graduate. Picked it back up in October 2021, and you have elevated my skills so much I am thrilled. I am having the time of my life, this is what I always wanted to do since I was a little girl. Thank you!

[@teresahosler3561]

I learned so much about mark making. The painting is beautiful.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much!

[@robertweinblatt2018]

I'm not a flower guy but I loved the abstraction on this one! I'm gonna try my 2 fave flowers, wild peonies and hydrangeas! Love to see you paint those BIG FLOWERS, BIIIIGGGGG MARKS💥

[@KarenMargulis]

Wonderful! That sounds like fun!

[@theamateurpoint8755]

You are an absolutely extraordinary teacher. I adore you and your art!!!! Very very very inspiring! Keep going and pet Heidi for me 😊

[@joycewickman3249]

What an excellent lesson! I learned so much and can't wait to try this demo. Thanks,,Karen

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@odilecadiou18]

Amazing you are ..Thank you Karen .

[@poulos801]

Loved watching this. Thanks Karen. :)

[@kdloewy1]

Karen, as always, your videos and talent are amazing. Thank you so much. I get so easily frustrated and leave multiple pictures undone because I get lost in the process. You make it so easy! Bless you and stay healthy.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ss2003utube]

Just gorgeous!

[@renigalea767]

Soooo..... happy I found your channel! Just love your style of painting and the way you explain what you are doing.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much!

[@sabinelloyd8532]

Very instructive, can't wait to try this.

[@KarenMargulis]

Have fun! Thanks for watching!

[@sabinelloyd8532]

@@KarenMargulis almost finished, great fun!!!😊😊😊

[@joannschoenleber813]

You are the Harriet Potter of pastel! It’s magic!! I feel like a little mouse looking up in a field of poppies. Thanks Karen.

[@KarenMargulis]

Wow, thank you! I love your comment! I'll have to share with my kids! Thanks for watching!!

[@fionajenkins5047]

This is so beautiful. I love the mark making. It has inspired me to push myself and try some painting. Thank you for your online demonstrations.

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@rainy5053]

Sooo pretty!! I'm still binge watching and liking all videos!! 😘😘

[@KarenMargulis]

Yay! Thank you!

[@desireeyoung2814]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you for your in depth tutorials. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite art teachers!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks so much 😊

[@MT-bc6xf]

Love, love, love what you share and how you share. Gracious lady! Your teaching is so appreciated. Love the painting. Getting comfortable with marks is so important.... as well as the when, where and why of it all. Thank you! You are very appreciated!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much Michele!

[@youout1181]

Each touch of pastels finally shows a beautiful picture. I like the fullness of the flowers, the light and the juicy background of the picture. Karen, thank you for these exceptional master classes, thanks to them we can learn and see beauty with you

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@1DaTJo]

Hi Karen, I just tried this one. I must say, you make it look much easier than it is! I love this painting of yours.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks so much 😊

[@cynthiarobertson7882]

Karen, your art is beautiful and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

[@essejd]

Absolutely beautiful. Thank you very much 🌸

[@KarenMargulis]

You’re welcome 😊

[@charlottepierce5944]

I tried this with my Granddaughters sidewalk chalk I loved it. so I ordered some real art chalk i going to do this again when its delivered . Thank you soooo much for sharing and teaching .

[@KarenMargulis]

Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@cristinasalesluis3075]

As awesome as always is! Thank you Karen!

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome!

[@rosarebada4777]

Beautiful painting! And yes, so painterly. Thanks for an uplifting presentation - so appreciated in these times. Excellent instruction, as always! Take good care of your cough. Bless you and yours.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much! This was an older video so I am fine now!

[@geraldinefrankoff2288]

This demo was great - so many valuable points.

[@bonnielee9040]

Thank you! We are in quarantine now and you give me inspiration to go pastel.

[@KarenMargulis]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching!

[@maryannbrown6380]

Love love love

[@angelakilroe3271]

I absolutely love your videos on flowers. I painted the sunflowers this morning and am really pleased with the result. Please, please can we have more flower tutorials, I understand your teaching which is so helpful. Many thanks.

[@sigridedwards2744]

Absolutely beautiful!!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much!

[@sharonbaxter1362]

Thank you....Thank you. Another informative video. ❤❤

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching!

[@brendawillems4804]

Wonderful painting and tutorial 👍😍 Thanks so much!

[@KarenMargulis]

My pleasure 😊

[@mapeandrews3951]

Thank you Karen, this was a superb tutorial.

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angiewright-artist8246]

Beautiful Karen!!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks Angie!

[@irenbacs8940]

Thank you ! Beautiful !

[@KarenMargulis]

Many thanks!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautifully done...I really feel like giving pastel painting a go.. I always thought it was for kids 😁 but I see it gets lovely effects...Thanks

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@evaalt-revie1656]

Just stunning. I will try this lesson myself. 😊Thank you. You are such a clear and organised teacher.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks so much 😊

[@terrilynnstalvey1416]

👋 Karen wow this helps a lot. Beautiful job, I love it. Thank you. 👏👏👏👍👍👍❤👋

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome

[@StellaAlpina74]

I love the way you play with your pastels. This gives a dynamic style and leaves your eyes free to travel through your paintings. I will start pastel and see you inspire me a lot. Thanks for sharing all of these great videos. Friendships of France

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you very much!

[@odilecadiou18]

From las vegas .....Bonjour ..

[@chrisc.7972]

Absolutely beautiful painting. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. This is definitely an area that I've needed help with as I do draw flowers and colour them in and have been longing to create them in a more painterly way.

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@mjpete27]

So many really good ideas and techniques in your videos and this one is chock full too! Thank you for sharing your expertise. I am still striving to make my marks readable and I am enjoying watching your videos and learning from your experience. Quite lovely flowers and lovely petals as well. Be sure to take care of that cough and be well!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much! This is an older video so I am fine! Thanks for your comments and concern!

[@barbaraenlow1839]

Thank you Karen! I love your videos - would be very interested in the class you mentioned in the video. I am new to pastels and am loving them!

[@KarenMargulis]

Wonderful!

[@joannschoenleber813]

Haha you are welcome! Best wishes from California!

[@KarenMargulis]

Same to you!

[@jamesholder13]

Excellent!

[@KarenMargulis]

Many thanks!

[@sheilafowler3990]

Really Beautiful

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you Sheila!

[@elainelogan2023]

Beautiful

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@gorettibernards8150]

Prachtig, beautiful 😀🌸

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching!

[@leigh-annh2544]

Thankyou for your generosity sharing these lessons. It’s hard to speak and paint at the same time and yet you manage to keep a logical conversation to help your students. Well done you. For the petal edges were you thinking -ruffled, serrated, feathered, toothed or maybe jagged?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for your kind words! Thanks for your suggestions! That is what I was trying to say!

[@elainelogan2023]

I would say raggedy LOL

[@alicedecker7329]

I haven’t painted flowers up close, but now I really want too. I’m painting a lot these days, so thank you Karen with keeping us involved. Your reminders about mark making are so timely. Ps. Did you know you have become my new best friend?

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! It is my pleasure to share with you!

[@deniseshaw3871]

Thank you this is beautiful..Im trying to get inspired in readiness to lots of free time Im expecting due to Self Isolation !!! in the UK

[@KarenMargulis]

You are so welcome! Thank you!!

[@claudiachappel3350]

YOU ARE SO GOOD!!!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you Claudia!

[@lucillefemine2339]

Beautiful and great instruction. I'm mainly a watercolorist so this is new to me. Struggling somewhat but learning. I can't really afford the paper so I put clear gesso on watercolor paper. But not sure I would do better on your paper. Maybe later when I improve. Might be too much waste of money while I'm learning.

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad it was helpful! Watercolor paper and gesso are great! Have fun!

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

So magnificent

[@nancycurran3522]

Superb

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks 🤗

[@chinookvalley]

Thank you! I'm at home, and now, I can get my art materials out and do some work!! (Edit) My dogs say "woof" to your dog.

[@KarenMargulis]

Have fun! Thanks for watching!

[@kodakole2350]

You prolly dont care but if you are stoned like me atm then you can watch pretty much all the new movies and series on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my gf for the last couple of days =)

[@allanjunior9198]

@Koda Kole yea, I have been watching on instaflixxer for since december myself :D

[@trippkhalid1331]

@Koda Kole yup, been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself :)

[@victorethan1041]

@Koda Kole Yea, I've been using instaflixxer for since december myself =)

[@sanyak7939]

Hi Karen! Amazing work! Can you please tell me the right paper type to use?? And what gsm should it be?

[@MarkJohnson-zh7eh]

Thanks for sharing your mark making techniques here. I like that shout and whisper and press and release. Karen do you tend to use fixative or not? Thanks

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching! I sometimes use workable fixative but never a final fixative.

[@marybusse2825]

I just discovered your painting tutorials. and love what you do. I have taken a couple of classes using student grade soft pastels and Canson pastel paper. It seems that I need better supplies to try the work you are showing. Do you have or would you consider a tutorial on supplies for beginner pastel students? I tried with the materials I have with less than satisfactory results.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching! I am working on a beginner tutorial. In the meantime you might like to check out my Patreon group. I have been reviewing basic sets and how to get the most out of them. www.patreon.com/karenmargulis

[@susancapin5975]

You have made your poppies sing!!! I have a question about pastels. I have a Unison Landscape set, a set of Grumbacher pastels. I would like to purchase a set of Terry Ludwig pastels, but I can only splurge on one set. I work on flowers, outdoor yard scenes and some landscapes. I, especially like the burgundy pastel you used today. Which set would you suggest?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you!! I will highly recommend the Terry Ludwig set that I curated. It is called the Floral Landscape set and the pastels were selected to allow one to paint all types of landscapes with the colors you need for flowers as well. I made a video on how I curated and tested the set. You can find it here on my channel. Here is the link to the set: terryludwig.com/collections/frontpage/products/60-floral-landscapes-karen-margulis

[@Ron-wf1tt]

Words of wisdom

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks Ron!

[@ranjanachand9306]

Beautiful and informative,What do you think of pan pastels? Do you use them?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you. I have not used them yet!

[@audreybronson2710]

Love this video! Does the same technique apply if you are using cream UArt?

[@KarenMargulis]

Yes! You can also tone the Uart if you want to begin on a darker surface!

[@audreybronson2710]

@@KarenMargulis Thank you!

[@dianequinn1500]

Hi, Karen. Saw you on youtube for the first time yesterday and went on to watch a whole string of your excellent videos. They really inspired me to get out my pastels. I usually work in watercolour. I thought I'd sign up on your patreon, also. However when I attempted some work in pastel they were so soft it was like trying to paint with loose face powder! I was SO disappointed. I couldn't get any definition and dust went everywhere. I work at home in a carpeted study/studio which I share with my husband, so conditions aren't ideal as far as dust is concerned. I wondered if you had any comment/advice.

[@KarenMargulis]

Diane Quinn Thanks for watching my video! Some pastels are softer than other and some of the harder ones produce less dust. Also sanded pastel papers grip the pastel better. The best thing you can do is work upright at an easel so the dust falls down where you can catch it with a tin foil tray. I alsoput an area rug under the easel that I can vacuum to keep any stray dust contained!

[@daniellemagne6283]

Hello , what brand do you use please ?

[@robertweinblatt2018]

Ragged edged petals

[@pcdas72]

Which paper you are using please tell me

[@KarenMargulis]

It is sanded MingArt paper,. Thanks for watching!

[@josephineherrera8508]

KAREN, Thank you for this video. I just purchased inexpensive Mungyo pastels, because you have inspired me to try painting with pastels. I am worried about how much dust is being created by this material which is considered toxic. I was so overwhelmed by how much stayed on my fingers and on my easel, etc. what do you do to protect yourself? I worry about this dust getting into your lungs and mine! Please be well and safe.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for watching! For information on pastel safety have a look at the Terryludwig.com website. There is good information there. There are ways to protect yourself....gloves or barrier cream for example. I find that pastel dust is actually heavy and falls down into my tray. I always work upright never flat and I NEVER blow on a painting.

[@leilaskye8143]

So basically background with side of pastel but with a light touch?

[@KarenMargulis]

Yes! That's it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@arabellahorwitz2622]

Do you sell your demo paintings?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for asking! Yes I do. All available paintings can be found in my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/karenmargulisfineart

[@jenniferdavis6115]

I can hear that person whisper to you. :)

[@user-gl8us2sf9g]

This is a child's level of mastering pastel

[@s.k.3483]

Can you be more specific as to why you have that opinion?

[@jenniferdavis6115]

Are you related to the woman on Queen of Kings??? Thank you. :)