Pastel artist based in Ojai, California.
Most of my work is in pastels - Pastels are made by combining pigments mixed with a small amount of gum arabic, a binder make from resin from the acacia tree. Some manufacturers add kaolinite clay for smoother application. They are available in variety of different degrees of hardness, and different shapes and sizes, including pencils encased in wood, sticks or blocks, “pebbles” shaped and sized like new potatoes, and pans resembling eye shadow.
I like to paint in layers on sanded pastel surfaces, beginning with a light drawing in pastel pencil. Next I use watercolors to map out the colors in a loose underpainting. Then I apply layers of pastels, harder ones followed by softer ones, working from top to bottom, usually painting the shadows first.
Here is a link to video of a demonstration at show of how I used this technique to paint Tira Nanza Hedge Mustard in Bloom:
Here is a photo of Tira Nanza Winery at an intermediate stage of the process:
