Taken from a digi image taken on a stroll beginning of June, devon wildlife trust property. Using conte crayon pastels.

Getting to grips with the crayon pastels Julia thssupp

Neil

I expect that your photograph shows the trunk a uniform dark colour, but that is probably just because the camera can't cope with the high contrast.

I think that the tree trunk could do with some tonal variation to make it rounder. Is the middle ground white or is the reproduction failing to show a colour? If it's the former, I'd have put a very pale dusting of colour in there, just to kill the white.

Having said all that, I can see why you were inspired and congratulate you on getting on paper.

I've brightened the sunlight (the inspiration) on purpose. Paper was watercolour. Put a raw sienna wash over entire area first. Scan has killed some of it. The expanded image is MUCH bigger than the original pastel, which is c. 6"x4", all mistakes and smudges easy to see :o I've hairsprayed it now - so little can be done. Thanks for looking.
Just putting in digi pic.

I'm fascinated by this, Julia, I use fixative very rarely and normally if I want to be able to work some more on a piece. Does hairspray work differently?

What a great reminder of your stroll, I think you are getting the hang of the pastels really well (claphands) . I agree with LBM that the front tree trunk could do with some work to make it rounded.

You have a nice selection of greens which are working nicely on the distant foliage.

Ruth

Great contrasts has to be Devon (claphands)

Does hairspray work differently?
No, but it's cheaper. The surface now has less 'tooth' as it was watercolour paper anyway. I can see where I've gone wrong regarding the tree on this one.

I don't know if you regard this just as a study Julia but if so it's a bit extravagent to use watercolour paper. You don't need a sized surface for pastels a good cartridge paper, Ingres or Canson are better.

As for hairspray I only use it to fix charcoal sketches. For work you might want to sell use proper fixative. I once bought some cheap hairspray at the chemist and asked what the solvent was. The assistant looked puzzled and fetched the pharmacist. He gave me a funny look and said he had no idea. I think he took me for a geriatric glue sniffer!

Anyway the point is if you are hoping people wll part with good money for your work make sure you use good materials. You never know when you might decide to show it. That's the end of the lecture!

It's an attracive picture = I like the counterchange created by the sunlit area seen against the foreground shade.