At the moment I just can't seem to put these pastels down but as I have now found I seem to be allergic to them I will have to curb it somehow. I am ending up with rather swollen lips, not good when I want to enjoy my food :(

Anyway Here's the latest one, a previous attempt was liked and it will be winging it's way to a friend of mine shortly.




All help appreciated :)

Oh Padds sorry to hear you are having a problem with an allergy to pastels. Unfortunately like all art materials you have to be careful.

Things to beware of - Never blow on a pastel to clear loose specks of dust, work on an easel if possible upright or even with the top tilted slightly toward you.

Make sure you wash your hands well before eating or drinking and don't have food or drink in the art space.

Some people use a face mask and rubber gloves. I have an air purifier thingey running when I use pastels.

Your sunset is lovely, particularly the clouds in the sky.

Perhaps the sea may have picked up more of the light colours from the sky.

Well done (claphands) .

Ruth

I can't comment on the pastels padds as I know nothing about them but I do like this sunset. As ruth said the clouds are good and show the position of the sun by the underlighting of them. A nice touch is the window lit in the light-house. It indicates someone is at home.
thssupp thssupp
jim

Sound advice from Ruth, I do hope you find a way of using them without discomfort as I really do think you are getting really good with them. This is a little cracker of a painting. (claphands)

Another really nice scene Padds

Well done Padds thssupp and I agree sound advice from Ruth

I would add ...lighten the left hand side of the lighthouse to define it a little more

Neil

its all been said Padds :D hope you can overcome the allergy problems as you are doing well with the pastels thssupp

Thanks everyone, I will sort out the tips you have said and hopefully get it framed.

I think it will have to be mask and gloves, plus all the other things Ruth as I haven't done any of them. When I first tried them I must have touched the back of my neck as that became sore and swollen but never gave it a thought until now.

Back to the drawing board then preferably with the protective equipment. (Bat)

Padds you do really have a flair for pastels, it's such a shame you may be allergic. hugs (blowxx)

All good suggestions have been made but I'm wondering if it's because they are cheap ones, it could be the binding agent not the pastel itself.

If you have an art shop nearby try buying just a few good quality ones and see if you have the same effect. :unsure:

Hope you can continue cos this is a little cracker. l0v3 (thumbs)

(claphands) (thumbs) (claphands) Hope protective clothing etc works for you Padds, this is gorgeous, a wonderful sunset. Good luck with future pastel paintings. (loveh) Sylvia

Hi Padds, If you try pastel pencils encased in a wooden sleeve, this may cut down on contact. Your sunset looks great (thumbs) (claphands)

Thanks for all the advice folks. I have just bought a few other pastels from the art shop 5 doors away and some pastel paper as opposed to any old paper I lay my hands on. So I am going to give it another go in a day or so. All I need now is a mask.

<Dons nurse's cap and apron.>

With these symptoms, you would be crazy to continue using the pastels, Lynn, especially given that you are asthmatic. They indicate a serious allergy which is likely to become worse as you continue to expose yourself to the allergen.

You may protect your mouth while you are working, but what would happen, do you think, if you unthinkingly rubbed your eyes??? Or touched your face? What happens if someone comes into the room and wants you in a hurry, and you take off your mask, or touch your nose / mouth before you have a chance to wash your hands properly (you don't have a hand basin close by, do you.)???

However much you enjoy using them, the risk is not worth it.

Edit to add:

BTW, the SAS survival course teaches them to test things for possible poisons by rubbing a lip with it. If the lip becomes swollen, that thing is unsafe to eat / use (They taught Joanna Lumley that when she did the Girl Friday thing for television a few years ago).

What happens if you lick your lips afterwards ???

Taking the question seriously? That would depend on the amount of pastel on the lips. Given the swelling of lips already reported, and some pastel remaining, probably a swollen tongue. Degree of swelling? Depends on the level of pastel contamination / allergic reaction, but it could lead to breathing difficulties.

Sadly I have had to give these up, the other night I thought I was well prepared but still my lips swelled and my eyes became sore. So I cleared away everything and this morning the side of my lips are swollen and cracked. I must have touched my skin somehow while cleaning up.

As you say Barney, just not worth it really

Such is life eh :(

Why not have a go with oil pastels Lynn?

I think it is wise to steer clear then, Padds hugs

However much you were enjoying pastels it is not worth putting yourself at risk over.

Ruth

I have some oil pastels Dorothy but I found them difficult to work with. It's worth a go though, what do I use to blend them in with?

I haven't thrown my attempts with Pastels as it seems such a shame to dispose of them, but I have bought that special paper to store them with.

I am quite surprised as to just how upset I am but it's all a learning curve I suppose. Thanks to everyone for their comments and help it is much appreciated.

thssupp

Hi Padds

To me oil pastels don't have the appeal of softies, but we do have some hints and tips here.

I would try to steer clear of solvents though if you have any problem with asthma.

Good luck

Ruth

Thanks Ruth, I will have a look at that soon, when I am not so busy. In the meantime I think it will be back to practising Watercolours. :)

A lovely 'last pastel'. I blend oil pastels with white spirit, but I'm sure there is a friendly version - called Orange something or other. Will have to see if I can find and send you the link.

You could also consider coloured pencils perhaps. NOT pastel pencils.

Here we are, may help others too.
http://www.zest-it.com/zest-it.htm

Not sure if it'll come up as a clicky.

Lovely picture. Love the colours.