Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Pastel on Velour Paper

As I came across some velour paper on Sunday in my studio, I quickly got a piece, sat down and got back in tune with it's qualities. Talk about creating soft pastels that look like butter! Years ago, I did many animal pastels using it, as it really lends itself to 'fur'. I was reminded of how little 'dusting' occurred while working with your pastels. One thing you can't do is erase, blend, or over scumble an area, it ruins the surface. As far as it's archival quality, I recently acquired a "returned" velour surface artpiece I did probably 25 years ago. It was interesting to note that the pastel was still on the surface as if I had just finished it. Even though it had been out of it's frame and laid around in different spots, it was not smeared...the only thing I noticed was a tiny bit of yellowing to the reverse side of the paper, which means to me that it isn't completely 'acid-free', however, I was pleasantly surprised at the condition of the piece. Nothing says enough to me about a paper, other than my own test of time. I have had a black and white 'kindergarten' photo of my husband, just crying to be drawn in color. He was just as cute then as he is now! LOL.

4 comments:

Leann said...

He's sooo cute!

Susan Carlin said...

For all your protestations that you're somehow not painting enough... I show up and you've got oodles of new paintings to show for your time! All great, too. Velour must be enjoying a come-back. I started out on velour with pastel back in, ummmm... 1975. Now I'm seeing it everywhere again. Great look, I have to admit!

Pattie Wall said...

Susan, it's amazing what a finished new kitchen will do for your time! I am trying to make up for that one. And stay tuned for more velour. But I think I am on to mat board as a surface by Thursday. Thanks!
Leann, he is too cute!

Karen Hargett said...

Pattie I love velour! I love the results I get and the fact there is so little dust to deal with. I've ordered some velour board but haven't tried it yet.

BTW - he is a cutie!

More NEW art pieces

  Lukki - watercolor 9" x 12" acrylic done from Unsplash ph ref, thanks C Deluvio!