28 January 2015

“His Shaving Things” – A Small Pastel In A Limited Palette

Home » “His Shaving Things” – A Small Pastel In A Limited Palette

As you may know, I’m spending a couple of weeks in La Manzanilla, Mexico. I’m finally settled in and the sun has once again graced us with its presence (the whole weekend was cloudy but that was still okay as it was WARM!). Realizing I had a blog post due, I finally set up a still life yesterday to get me warmed up before I head out to plein air later this week.

What to paint? It was my honey’s Cam’s body brush and shaving things that caught my eye this time and I thought, what the heck. So I set up the items on a table outside.

First the thumbnail:

Thumbnail sketch in pen and ink for "His Shaving Things," 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in — Thumbnail sketch in pen and ink for “His Shaving Things,” 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 in

Outside of course means changing light! The shadow created by the can of shaving cream and the brush soon disappeared leaving only the shadow under the razor. Luckily I had my thumbnail sketch to consult!

Here’s the pastel progression:

Vine charcoal initial drawing on Wallis paper (toned with watercolour) for "His Shaving Things" — Initial drawing in vine charcoal on Wallis paper (toned with watercolour) for the pastel, “His Shaving Things.”

Getting the first pastel on for "His Shaving Things" — Getting the first colours on. Using a limited palette (chosen from Unison’s starter box) really did limit my choices. The brush hairs were an ochre colour and the table a turquoise colour. But I didn’t have these pastels available. I had to create my own versions of these colours. I could see a lot of reflected green on the brush so I started with that as a middle value.

Adding more colours and getting in the lightest values in "His Shaving Things" — Adding more colours and getting in the lightest values. Feeling my way around both the values and the colours.

Adding more pastel to "His Shaving Things" — Adding more pastel including a layer of yellow on the top of the brush. I wish there was an ochre colour in the box but there isn’t so I’m attempting to build layers to give the effect of ochre. This layering is what, for me, can give a piece a vibrating excitement.

Further defining of the brush tufts. Also starting to indicate the writing on the shaving cream can on "His Shaving Things" — Further defining of the brush tufts. Also starting to indicate the writing on the shaving cream can.

More work on the lettering on the can. I don’t want to make it too obvious but enough so a viewer will probably guess the brand if they are familiar with it. Some further definition of the razor and also the shadow of the brush.

Gail Sibley, "His Shaving Things," Unison pastel on Wallis paper (toned with watercolour), 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in — Gail Sibley, “His Shaving Things,” Unison pastel on Wallis paper (toned with watercolour), 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. Perhaps you can see how I made the shadow line of the shaving can more diagonal. I also worked a bit on the shape of the shadow from the brush, including a hint of it on the left side of the can’s shadow.

The 10 pastels used for "His Shaving Things" and really, only the eight circled used — The 10 pastels used. The eight circled are the ones I really used. The other two I used just at the start so they are part of the whole but very little used.

Here is the Unison starter box from which I chose my colours for "His Shaving Things." You can see that there is no ochre and no turquoise colours. A good challenge to make your own! — Here is the Unison starter box from which I chose my colours for “His Shaving Things.” You can see that there is no ochre and no turquoise colours. A good challenge to make your own!

The photo of the set up. You can barely see the shadow cast by the brush and the shaving cream can. "His Shaving Things" — The photo of the set up. You can barely see the shadow cast by the brush and the shaving cream can.

And there you have it. What do you think? Have you ever painted shaving things? I’d love to hear from you.

Next time, being the end of the month, you’ll be able to wonder at this month’s selection of pastel gems. Then, in a couple of weeks, I’ll have a plein air progression for you of some scene here in La Manzanilla.

Until then,

~ Gail

PS. Ahhhhh sunsets in La Manzanilla!

Grief and art: Gail Sibley, "Farewell (for Ray)," Great American and Mount Vision pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes Touch (white), 14 x 20 3/4 in

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Creating Art Is Hard Work!!

Backyard plein air painting: Gail Sibley, "Backyard Hollyhock," mostly Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in.

Backyard Plein Air Painting – Hollyhocks

Colour Schemes: Gail Sibley, "Bowser View," Unison pastels on UART 400 grade paper, 12 x 9 in. Available.

Colour Schemes And How I Don’t Use Them

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2 thoughts on ““His Shaving Things” – A Small Pastel In A Limited Palette”

Joanne
Monday, 23 February 2015 at 8:34 am

It’s amazing how you started from just a lot of colour blobs to something so obvious and so beautifully colourful!

Reply
1. Gail
  Tuesday, 24 February 2015 at 8:32 pm
  
  Thanks. Sometimes I am amazed it all pulls itself together into a recognizable image!
  
  Reply

Gail Sibley

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!