That's the thing with small pastel sets. They are almost all mid tones. I just did a plein air sketch today with a small set of half sticks, and only about 10% of them were light or dark values. This set seems to have more lights as well. Don't ever use Sennelier La Carte pastel paper outdoors if there is any chance of rain. One drop of water will dissolve the stuff that is on the paper, leaving a stark white spot that is impossible to pastel over.
Thanks Jennifer. Yes sets certainly have drawbacks, the value range being one of them, but I still find they are a good place to start. I'm talking about good quality soft pastels of course! I'd love to see more colours and more darks in the iridescent for sure but these are a good start and sure fun to use! Thanks for the warning about the La Carte paper. Been there, done that!! I have to say though that, interestingly, the iridescent pastels felt the best on the La Carte paper.
Wow these pastels are so smooth and brighter and i like the artwork too. I think Sennelier is one of the best out there.Hi Gail can you please tell me what colour paper should I use for Landscape pastel painting? Thanks for the video.
Hey Rahul, glad you enjoyed the video! As to your question about paper colour for landscape painting, there are many ways to think about it You can use the colour that makes up the main colour of your landscape, or the complement. You could choose a temperature that's opposite to what you see (e.g. a warm colour for a cool coloured scene). You could choose a neutral colour so your pastels will show up both light and dark and truer coloured. You could use a light paper and create your own underpainting. It's a BIG question and so those are very general answers. Hope they help though :-)
"Yummy!" all right! I have some Sennelier Iridescents in the oil pastels and they are a DREAM! I've done a cloudy sky using only iridescents and the shiny effect is understated while the overall effect is rich and lush. These soft pastels are making me drool - smelling a purchase in the near future! Thanks for sharing with us!
+Nathalie Wigmore hah hah that's the perfect response! I've used Sennelier's oil pastels which are all dreamy so I can imagine the effect of the iridescents!
This was right on the spot! I was wondering about Sennelier's Iridescent Pastels. You showed the elements of their use that exactly answered my questions! Thank you.
I have some of these I purchased open stock. Also have Mount Vision dark iridescent set, and pearl Great American. I have used them for a final punch of attitude on abstracts and in landscapes. Fun as a first layer in a sky, adds a luminous looks. Thank you for the video. I had not thought of doing an entire work with them. These works need to be appreciated in person. Photographs don't capture the reflective light on the particles of pastel. The Great American really leave a luscious chunk with the right, heavy touch. Lots of texture.
Karen you are so right about needing to see work done with iridescents in person. I like the overall sheen that just using these pastels gave. And yes, good for a punch of something at the end of a soft pastel piece. Love the Great Americans too. And although I'm a big fan of Mount Vision pastels, I haven't tried their iridescent pastels. Yet!
Interesting question! Basically the mat or the frame itself (if I frame without a mat) covers about 1/4 in all round. And I account for that as I paint. Make sense?
This was the first demo I've ever seen, Gail, and it inspires me to take workshops! I bought Sennelier's set of 12 iridescent pastels after an autumn walk in a canyon, wanting to capture the metallic colors from that day, especially the gold reflections in the intense blue water of the river. I now have an understanding of these pastels as rich as the pigments. Thanks!
Wow happy to be the first demo you've seen. I hope you will take workshops as there's nothing like the energy of a group and instructor all moving together! I love what students bring to a class I'm teaching. Maybe I'll see you at one of mine 😄
I stumbled upon this video, I have no real interest in art but found it mesmerising. I could listen to you Gail all day long. Those colours are so vibrant, they are fantastic!
Loved your video. Now I want these iridescent pastels. Thanks 😘
Thanks Awilda!! They are so FUN!!!!
Great Job! Once again your informative, humorous and your excitement is catchy. Thank you.
Don, that's wonderful to hear!! Thanks :-)
That's the thing with small pastel sets. They are almost all mid tones. I just did a plein air sketch today with a small set of half sticks, and only about 10% of them were light or dark values. This set seems to have more lights as well. Don't ever use Sennelier La Carte pastel paper outdoors if there is any chance of rain. One drop of water will dissolve the stuff that is on the paper, leaving a stark white spot that is impossible to pastel over.
Thanks Jennifer. Yes sets certainly have drawbacks, the value range being one of them, but I still find they are a good place to start. I'm talking about good quality soft pastels of course! I'd love to see more colours and more darks in the iridescent for sure but these are a good start and sure fun to use!
Thanks for the warning about the La Carte paper. Been there, done that!! I have to say though that, interestingly, the iridescent pastels felt the best on the La Carte paper.
I have used iridescents in acrylic, and love them. Thanks for the video.
Wow these pastels are so smooth and brighter and i like the artwork too. I think Sennelier is one of the best out there.Hi Gail can you please tell me what colour paper should I use for Landscape pastel painting? Thanks for the video.
Hey Rahul, glad you enjoyed the video!
As to your question about paper colour for landscape painting, there are many ways to think about it You can use the colour that makes up the main colour of your landscape, or the complement. You could choose a temperature that's opposite to what you see (e.g. a warm colour for a cool coloured scene). You could choose a neutral colour so your pastels will show up both light and dark and truer coloured. You could use a light paper and create your own underpainting. It's a BIG question and so those are very general answers. Hope they help though :-)
I really want to know about layering that you do so beautifully....PLEASE?
Beautiful pastels,you can really see the sheen with that subtle effect,good embellishment pastels for mixed media work.
Yes!! That's exactly why I like them. They just add that special something ✨
I'm drooling on my key board! can't wait to get this set. I do wonder how they will work on Uart 500 grit sanded paper, it's all I use.
I'm sure they will work great!!
That paper will wear down the pastels very quickly. Makes them sound like chalkies too.
"Yummy!" all right! I have some Sennelier Iridescents in the oil pastels and they are a DREAM! I've done a cloudy sky using only iridescents and the shiny effect is understated while the overall effect is rich and lush. These soft pastels are making me drool - smelling a purchase in the near future! Thanks for sharing with us!
+Nathalie Wigmore hah hah that's the perfect response! I've used Sennelier's oil pastels which are all dreamy so I can imagine the effect of the iridescents!
HI. You sold me. Can't wait to get them tomorrow.
Wow and i said wow too!
😁
This was right on the spot! I was wondering about Sennelier's Iridescent Pastels. You showed the elements of their use that exactly answered my questions! Thank you.
Virginia I’m so glad this was helpful. I always hope I don’t forget too many aspects!
Est-ce que ça se mélange avec les pastels secs des autres marques ?
Comme les Rembrandt, les unison, etc…
I have some of these I purchased open stock. Also have Mount Vision dark iridescent set, and pearl Great American. I have used them for a final punch of attitude on abstracts and in landscapes. Fun as a first layer in a sky, adds a luminous looks. Thank you for the video. I had not thought of doing an entire work with them. These works need to be appreciated in person. Photographs don't capture the reflective light on the particles of pastel. The Great American really leave a luscious chunk with the right, heavy touch. Lots of texture.
Karen you are so right about needing to see work done with iridescents in person. I like the overall sheen that just using these pastels gave. And yes, good for a punch of something at the end of a soft pastel piece. Love the Great Americans too. And although I'm a big fan of Mount Vision pastels, I haven't tried their iridescent pastels. Yet!
Open the box it looked like they were in a pile but it was just the booklet😅
Hah hah!! That's pretty funny :-)
❤great
Cool!!
Thanks for sharing these.
You are so welcome!
Hi Gail,
A more general question: When you paint to the edges of your paper, how do you manage mounting and framing? Thanks!
Interesting question! Basically the mat or the frame itself (if I frame without a mat) covers about 1/4 in all round. And I account for that as I paint. Make sense?
This was the first demo I've ever seen, Gail, and it inspires me to take workshops! I bought Sennelier's set of 12 iridescent pastels after an autumn walk in a canyon, wanting to capture the metallic colors from that day, especially the gold reflections in the intense blue water of the river. I now have an understanding of these pastels as rich as the pigments. Thanks!
Wow happy to be the first demo you've seen. I hope you will take workshops as there's nothing like the energy of a group and instructor all moving together! I love what students bring to a class I'm teaching. Maybe I'll see you at one of mine 😄
Whoah! Ohh man, I want them! I have an idea for a painting of an oil slick on water and these would be Perfect! Thanks so much for the video :)
Hah hah. Michael I hear ya!!
Glad you enjoyed the video and left a comment. Thanks!!
I stumbled upon this video, I have no real interest in art but found it mesmerising. I could listen to you Gail all day long. Those colours are so vibrant, they are fantastic!
☺️ Sweet of you to say so and YES, Those pastels are luscious!
So cool pastels. I love them. Thanks for this video.
Sandrine they are fun to use. Sooooo luscious!!
Awesome!
Whoo hoo!
Wow! The pastels look like fun!
They are Patricia!!
Cool. Want them.
Good! Did you get some?
Chalk or oil?
Soft or dry pastels (not oil) 😁