Figure Skates I, 14 x 18 original pastel

I felt like going skating this morning only to realize my skates were part of my display at the studio... Ooops!

These are my skates. And my waltz dress. The crystals express the glitz and drama of skating.

Figure skating is a sport that requires the stamina of a boxer, the grace of a dancer and the speed of a skiier. It is very demanding performing dance moves balanced on a 1/4 inch wide blade, moving at speeds that make you dizzy. I can't skate like that. I do a few tricks, don't have to keep time to the music, stop, catch my breath, and it doesn't matter if I fall. Nobody notices anyway!

Why the painting? I'm supposed to be painting wildlife (birds) or landscapes at the moment. I'm not done with still lifes and red. The inspiration came while I was sweeping a few days ago. I spotted a crystal on the floor that was filtering light in the most beautiful way. I wanted to do a painting of crystals and how they capture and reflect the light.... So I went to the studio, set up my crystals, and simply added the dress and the skates.

I you have time, check out the previous days postings to view sketches of designs for my friends competition dress.

Figure Skating Tango Dress 2

I wonder if this is the one she will choose.....

Notice the stylized high heel figure skates?

Figure Skating Tango Dress

Well, no fine art in the last few days....
"I've been busy you know!"

Over the next few days I will share the dress designs I've been working on for my friend in Vancouver. She and her skating partner will be competing at the World Adult Figure Skating Competition in dance.

One of the dances they will be skating is a Tango with many beautiful spins, lifts, and some gorgeous footwork. My friend is very beautiful, dynamic, expressive, and a beautiful skater, and I want the dress to accentuate this. Her partner is also a very talented skater.

Pastel Painting Still Life set up

I've decided to let you see my set up. If you go to the blog you can go back 3 entries and view the finished painting to compare.

For those of you receiving this by email, I still don't know if the blog address appears in the message. Until then here it is http://elsabluethner.blogspot.com

Pastel Painting Process

From left to right

Image 1, I very quickly lay in using an ochre coloured hard pastel (nupastel). I sort of know where I want the doll's face to be. This is part of the triangular flow of the painting. From doll's head to crow to glass ball, and back to the head. The arms also help the eye flow through the image. I wish to hold your attention this way.

Image 2, I continue to lay in my darkest darks. I'm not worried about going over into the lights. I try to stay away from the lightest lights.

Image 3, I add the local colour. It doesn't have to be exact. Hard to believe this mess is actually going to turn into something. This is a stage where I used to give up thinking there was no way to make this painting happen.

Image 4, I start to add in the lights and work the middle tones. I work in the shadow areas in the face arms and hands a little more staying away from all details. I start establishing the glass ball as well.

Image 5, It starts to get a little tricky. I work all over the painting establishing lighter lights, making certain the shadows are the right darkness and have colour in them. I introduce reflected colours into the surrounding items. Red into the crow's highlights, blue into the doll's feature.

Image 6, The finish. This is where I start sweating. I worry that I might over do it. That I will change the values by trying too hard to get it right. Over the years I have learned when it's time to stop. A painting is never finished. An artist can work it to the point of boredom. When is a painting boring? When there is nothing left for the brain to figure out. Some areas blend into the shadows and have no definite lines and yet you know what is there even if it's not defined.

I am a student painter until the day I expire. Until that day I continue to find ways to express the set up before me with as few strokes as possible. This is one of the things I strive for as an artist....

Red Flowers and Green Velvet 14x10

Green Velvet... Well yes. In reality. I can usually create any colour with my pastels by mixing, scrumbling, blending or layering. This time I could not get the colour of the velvet the same as it really is. I need to purchase a stick that is the same colour. Green is one of the hardest colours to emulate. There are hundreds of greens available. Pure greens are not good for me. I prefer greyed greens especially when painting landscapes as I've never seen a pure green in nature. At least not with my eyes. There are pastel companies who create sets of up to 60 greens. Maybe more! As a child I felt complete with my set of 48 prismacolor coloring pencils!

Some landscapes are vivid and beautiful and done using only pure hues. I admire artists that are able to do this. When I try to paint like this, I end up with a painting that has no focus, no quiet space, no contrast, no balance, nothing! I end up with a nice little painting for the garbage.

Does it feel like the marbles are about to roll off the painting?

http://elsabluethner.blogspot.com

Doll, Metal Crow, and Glass Ball 19x15

The doll is leaning against the backdrop or she would fall over. She is reaching towards the metal crow. I love the unnatural stance of the legs and the webbed feet. Started out as a crow... ended up with duck feet. Ummm.... I guess without these feet he would fall over as well. (That's an altogether different painting!)

All the items pictured here, as well as the pastels I am using, are from people who encourage me as an artist.