Pastel portrait

Drew a portrait in conte pastels on 'charcoal' pastelmat paper at the Stamford Arts Centre. Click on image for larger vesrion. All rights reserved.

Chalk portrait - Clive

With the remaining portrait session with Clive I did a chalk and charcoal portrait drawing. I used Anthracite Pastelmat paper, which I now highly recommend for chalk drawings as it holds the chalk well and allows textured effects - almost like very fine sandpaper.

Pastel portrait

The striking Venezualean model Eiry returned this week to pose for the Stamford Arts Centre life drawing group. This portrait drawing was done using pastel chalks on Pastelmat paper. Click image to zoom.

Ballet dancer drawings

My favourite model posed for us this week at the Stamford Arts Centre. Maggie is a ballet dancer and teacher, and dressed appropriately in a blue tutu. Only colour would do this justice so I drew three pastel drawings. Two on coloured pastelmat paper and one on white ingres paper. I did some finishing at home, but tried (particularly with the first one) not to lose too much of the spontaneity. The first drawing reminds me of Watteau, which can only be a good thing. I may get theses professionally scanned and proofed to offer as limited edition prints. Watch this space and contact me if you want to pre-order. As usual click image for a larger version.

(c) Mike Todd 2011

(c) Mike Todd 2011

(c) Mike Todd 2011

Clive - Life Drawings

Two life drawings this week at the Stamford Arts Centre. First is in pencil on white cartridge paper.

The second is on a new surface to me. This is Pastelmat paper, which is a thick (card-like) surface (360gsm / 170lb) specially developed for pastelists. According to the manufacturers "Its unique velvety surface, made from a fine coating of cellulose fibers, has the ability to grab and hold multiple layers of even the softest pastels".

For the drawing I used Conte chalks rather than soft pastels. Normally Conte adheres well and on this surface it was really held hard. This meant my normal smudging and blending with a tissue or Torchon was difficult and the drawn marks are still visible. I would like to try soft pastels on this paper. It comes in some interesting dark colours, which is why I was attracted to it. It is relatively expensive but I bought large sheets and cut them up. Watch this space for more Pastelmat trials.