My Pastel Painting Process

People frequently ask about my technique and the use of watercolours with pastels. The paper that I prefer is Rives BFK printmaking paper. It is fully
archival and has a smooth surface that allows me to paint freely without  imposing a texture. Because it comes in white and working in pastel on a white surface can be difficult, I like to start with a watercolour underpainting.

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Once I have let the underpainting dry, I start to work with the pastels. In some  areas, I will let the watercolour stand alone, in other areas, I enhance or even  replace the watercolour with the pastel. I work with the painting until I reach
a point where many areas are resolved and it is time to pause. I call this the 80/20 point. About 80% of a painting is completed in about 20% of the total time. The remaining 20% - the fine tuning and resolution - takes about 80% of the time.

During this final stage of the painting, I place it where I will see it in  passing frequently during the day. Everytime I see it, it will show me something. Some things are good, some things will need modifying. I evaluate the painting - does it represent the feeling I had when I stood there? Over a few days, I will determine what the painting needs to complete it.

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