I have enjoyed working with watercolor for some time
now. Once exposed to watercolor I fell
in love with its freshness and transparency.
These are the qualities that set this medium apart from all others. I have explored, practiced, exhibited, sold
and taught watercolor for 22 years. (see Biography) Now I am retired from the business-end of
art but I cannot retire from my art; the desire to create and explore.
Watercolor can stand alone beautifully. Its clean vibrant colors sing across the
paper. There is no white in the paint
box as white as white paper. Watercolor
being transparent allows the brilliance of the paper to glow through. The watercolor becomes light. This is the quality of watercolor I am
enlisting as I work the two mediums side by side. (watercolor and soft pastel)
I am drawn to work with soft pastel sticks
because of the tactile sensation they offer as I work the chalk over the
paper. I enjoy the rhythmic sensation
encountered when I apply the soft pastel.
Each stroke represents direction and energy conveying a visual
communication. And I love to draw.
Soft pastels are opaque; just the opposite of what we experience with watercolor. By laying the soft pastel down next to a
watercolor area the intensity of light is enhanced. It is all about contrast which we know is a
basic principle of composition. (see
Composition)
Soft pastels are also rich in color adding
strength to the painting. Depending on
the ground chosen the application of soft pastel adds various texture to the
painting. It is not always easy to find
the correct hue and value in your pastel box but this can be worked out. More about this later where I discuss pastel
techniques.
Inspiration came to me when I asked myself
the question: Can soft pastel and
watercolor work together on a common ground (paper) to take advantage of their
unique characteristics? The answer
is: YES
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