Then there’s the sparkle-

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​When pastel chalk sticks are stroked across an appropriately abrasive paper or other ground/ surface, the chalk particles are being shaved off and settle between the fibers, or ‘tooth’ of the paper.  That surface is therefore uneven, with the chalk particles refracting light in different directions, producing a subtle sparkling luminosity of the surface, and animating the painting.

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​So this special pastel chalk media holds the promise of an appealing immediacy and surface energy, from the start of your composition.  Which is why I’d almost never consider blending or polishing the pastels with a finger, and never use fixative, which flattens and dulls the entire surface.

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Water Color

   

I often under-paint the pastel chalk compositions with some thin watercolor to more quickly cover the surface in general tones, especially in the darker areas.  This media combination can also intensify the depth of color and enrich the range of textures.

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Digital Artwork

       

Amazing graphics programs enable us to create in wonderful, unique ways.  Check out the 'Digital Art' page here for examples of using a stylus to simulate the strokes of a paintbrush or most any media tool, achieving artistic surface qualities like a 'natural' painting- and then some. 

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Clay Sculpture

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I gravitate to clays with a bit of grit, and that hold moisture and its shape well while being worked.  See Clay sculptures here.

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