One thing I would suggest is that there are tools designed for pastels that work very well. This is something the coloring community seems to not be aware of, as most try to use cotton rounds, qtips (cotton buds) etc. These things certainly work... but a tool designed for the job can make the experience much more pleasant. These designed tools include bristle brushes (flat topped similar to stencil brushes but much softer), paper stumps/tortillions, color shapers (silicone brushes)... but in particular check out "softt tools" which are sponges in various shapes attached to an angled handle similar to a palette knife. You can simply swipe them across the pastel, and apply them to the paper. They have various sizes and points to allow access to detailed areas or fill large areas quickly, and are just textured enough to pick up, hold, and blend out the chalk. The sponge portion is removable and sold in packs so you can replace as needed or have one for each color so you don't have to worry about cleaning them. They keep your fingers out of your work (very important with pastel because the oil from your skin causes blotches and resistant spots on the paper), cut way down on the mess factor.. and are great at their job. They aren't expensive, and there are generic versions out there as well.
Great to see this as I am starting to use the soft pastels. I did not know how to do the backgrounds or under water. You made it easier to follow. I learned alot.
When you showed this page on your previous video, I said to myself I wanna color this one too. So I think I am going to follow along and I am totally gonna try the soft pastels as well. I hardly use them and never tried it for basing. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, this came at the most opportune time, as I came across some soft pastels in my stored art supplies and had heard of them being used for backgrounds. I'm just starting a background, and I immediately came across you in my subscriptions, and here was this video. So clearly described and demonstrated, and I'm giving it a go now. I appreciate and enjoy your videos very much. Thank you! (Now, to go shop for a better set with more colors, of course :)
Wow!! You are such an amazing artist!! Thank you so much for sharing how you use soft pastels to add color to your page faster. I'm so glad I found your channel. I've learned so much from you. Thank you ♥
What a beautiful page you have chosen :) can't wait to see how it'll turn out once it's finished. I do have a question, not related to pastels. I think you mention in your videos that you use a spray fixative on your finished work/to seal pastel work :) But I was wondering, how the spray fixative reacts to your watercolour pencils/distress inks. Doesn't it activate them? Edit-Using the pastels looks beautiful :) and a bit messy lol. But love the pretty background.
Thank you! Yes they are definitely very messy but fun to use... The fixative works well and I haven't had a problem with my pencils or inks. But I do tend to allow the page to dry before touching it again. 🤗💗
Umm coolest video ever? Thank you for all the tips Shelly! I never would have thought of the kneaded eraser trick for the rocks under warer. Brilliant! I feel like im much more ready to tackle some Kirby pages. Thanks for all your brilliant videos! The coloring community wouldnt be the same without you! ❤
Really enjoyed watching this video and learnt a few new techniques. The idea for showing how the rocks are under water is great. I am using pastel pencils as I am allergic to the dust generated by blocks. It provides more control in placement. The way to apply the background is the same and the color is more intense. Appreciate your sharing your secrets! 😊
So glad you enjoyed the video and great idea for using the pastel pencils. I don't actually own any and have never tried them....probably should test some out in the future! Thanks for sharing 🤗💗
Hi Shelly . I love using soft pastels to I love how you color with them to ! I have just used for back grounds so far but I’m definitely going to try that technique in this book !because this book stresses me out with the huge areas to color maybe I will reach for this book in the coming weeks more often !!!❤
Hey Shelly, I loved this video! I appreciate your time and skill sharing. Your very talented and are a wonderful teacher. 🙏 I have a question or two if you dont mind. I want to make sure I understood correctly, that after you spray the pastel areas (and it dries) you can still color over those areas with pencil, marker, watercolor etc? Also, I was wondering what spray you use on top of the pastels? Last, I believe you've mentioned the spray can be purchased from Amazon? Thanks so much!❤
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!! Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this. I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!! Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this. I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!! Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this. I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!! Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this. I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!! Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this. I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
I'm curious.......Will the softpastels not fill up, the tooth of the paper? And makes it so much harder to put down pencils on top?. Because of the thick pastel layer there might be not enough tooth left for any pencil layers????
Soft pastels are messy and they will transfer if not sprayed with fixative, so I would definitely recommend using the spray! I use the spray on Amazon paper too and it works fine for me 🤗💗
@@shelscolouringjourney Does it have to be workable fixative in order to apply pencils (not water colors) on top of the pastel base areas after I spray it?
Krylon workable fixative does wonders with almost any media, because you can apply a layer of fixative, add what you want, re-apply, re-work…as often as needed if you don’t want to mix certain layers of colouring,watercolour, pastel chalk, etc. It will prevent your different mediums / colours to be affected.
It is not very ecological to throw away coton pads… as artists or colourists, I think we have a responsibility to use washable/ reusable supplies as much as we can! There’s even paper towels that can be washed many many times before they decompose and then you put them in the composting bin. I find it frustrating when I hear talented people talk so lightly about cleaning up and encouraging publicly to waste gleefully just because it is tedious! I really love what you do on your channel but I beg you to reconsider and shop for great products that can be washed so easily! For example, The stamps with interchangeable pads (holding with Velcro) can be thrown in a mesh bag and to a delicate or perma press cycle, then hang the mesh bag outside or over a sink and it will dry. Even paper stumps that come into so many sizes will last a long time and can be cleaned with just a sand pad/block is better than throwing away supplies after one usage! I know I’m not the only one to be disappointed by that comment about choosing the easy (lazy) way instead of the responsible way. You should skip altogether using chalk pastel if it’s too hard for you to clean up. I’m not an eco freak, but I do try my best to reuse, recycle, repurpose as much as I can. Every little gesture counts when the environment is concerned even if it seems such a small thing to throw away coton pads… think of all the people that does the same as you do, now, because you said it was so much easier…. To be a public figure means to be responsible and voice responsible choices.
One thing I would suggest is that there are tools designed for pastels that work very well. This is something the coloring community seems to not be aware of, as most try to use cotton rounds, qtips (cotton buds) etc. These things certainly work... but a tool designed for the job can make the experience much more pleasant. These designed tools include bristle brushes (flat topped similar to stencil brushes but much softer), paper stumps/tortillions, color shapers (silicone brushes)... but in particular check out "softt tools" which are sponges in various shapes attached to an angled handle similar to a palette knife. You can simply swipe them across the pastel, and apply them to the paper. They have various sizes and points to allow access to detailed areas or fill large areas quickly, and are just textured enough to pick up, hold, and blend out the chalk. The sponge portion is removable and sold in packs so you can replace as needed or have one for each color so you don't have to worry about cleaning them. They keep your fingers out of your work (very important with pastel because the oil from your skin causes blotches and resistant spots on the paper), cut way down on the mess factor.. and are great at their job. They aren't expensive, and there are generic versions out there as well.
Thank you for sharing this information 🤗💗
Great to see this as I am starting to use the soft pastels. I did not know how to do the backgrounds or under water. You made it easier to follow. I learned alot.
When you showed this page on your previous video, I said to myself I wanna color this one too. So I think I am going to follow along and I am totally gonna try the soft pastels as well. I hardly use them and never tried it for basing. Thank you for sharing!
You're so welcome, hope you enjoy playing with your pastels 🤗💗
Wow, this came at the most opportune time, as I came across some soft pastels in my stored art supplies and had heard of them being used for backgrounds.
I'm just starting a background, and I immediately came across you in my subscriptions, and here was this video.
So clearly described and demonstrated, and I'm giving it a go now.
I appreciate and enjoy your videos very much. Thank you!
(Now, to go shop for a better set with more colors, of course :)
Wow!! You are such an amazing artist!! Thank you so much for sharing how you use soft pastels to add color to your page faster. I'm so glad I found your channel. I've learned so much from you. Thank you ♥
I am so happy to read this, thank you so much 🤗💗
What a beautiful page you have chosen :) can't wait to see how it'll turn out once it's finished. I do have a question, not related to pastels. I think you mention in your videos that you use a spray fixative on your finished work/to seal pastel work :) But I was wondering, how the spray fixative reacts to your watercolour pencils/distress inks. Doesn't it activate them?
Edit-Using the pastels looks beautiful :) and a bit messy lol. But love the pretty background.
Thank you! Yes they are definitely very messy but fun to use...
The fixative works well and I haven't had a problem with my pencils or inks. But I do tend to allow the page to dry before touching it again. 🤗💗
Umm coolest video ever? Thank you for all the tips Shelly! I never would have thought of the kneaded eraser trick for the rocks under warer. Brilliant! I feel like im much more ready to tackle some Kirby pages. Thanks for all your brilliant videos! The coloring community wouldnt be the same without you! ❤
You're most welcome, so glad you enjoyed the video and glad I gave you a new idea 🤗💗
I really enjoyed seeing how you use soft pastels!
So glad you enjoyed the video 🤗💗
Really enjoyed watching this video and learnt a few new techniques. The idea for showing how the rocks are under water is great.
I am using pastel pencils as I am allergic to the dust generated by blocks. It provides more control in placement. The way to apply the background is the same and the color is more intense.
Appreciate your sharing your secrets! 😊
So glad you enjoyed the video and great idea for using the pastel pencils. I don't actually own any and have never tried them....probably should test some out in the future! Thanks for sharing 🤗💗
Thank you Shelly for a great video. You are able to explain your techniques so clearly. 😊
Thank you so much 🤗💗
Hello Shell would you mind sending the link for the Korean books please. Thankyou
Ich habe mich sehr gefreut mal zu sehen wie soft pastels benutzt. 😊 sieht richtig gut aus
Thank you so much 🤗💗
Thank you for your time Shel 😊 great video & will definitely try this method because I also like soft pastels. Have a great day 😀
Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching 🤗💗
Hi Shelly . I love using soft pastels to I love how you color with them to ! I have just used for back grounds so far but I’m definitely going to try that technique in this book !because this book stresses me out with the huge areas to color maybe I will reach for this book in the coming weeks more often !!!❤
Hi Jackie...I am glad that you have enjoyed using the pastels and pencils together!! 🤗💗
Hey Shelly, I loved this video! I appreciate your time and skill sharing. Your very talented and are a wonderful teacher. 🙏 I have a question or two if you dont mind. I want to make sure I understood correctly, that after you spray the pastel areas (and it dries) you can still color over those areas with pencil, marker, watercolor etc? Also, I was wondering what spray you use on top of the pastels? Last, I believe you've mentioned the spray can be purchased from Amazon? Thanks so much!❤
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!!
Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this.
I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!!
Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this.
I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!!
Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this.
I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!!
Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this.
I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Hello! So glad you liked the video….thanks for taking time to watch it!!
Yes, when working with soft pastels, I would always spray with fixative. And I can work over it again….you have to make sure you get a workable fixative to be able to do this.
I use Winsor & Newton professional fixative. It has a yellow band on it. Yes, it’s available to Amazon….but I haven’t seen it in stock recently. Hopefully it comes back as I will have to look for an alternative 🤗💗
Beautiful shelly. Thank you for sharing ❤❤❤😊😊😊xxxx
Thank you 🤗💗
Yes!! Love these videos, they help me so much ❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉
So glad 🤗💗
Thanks for sharing your technique
You're welcome 🤗💗
Thank you, I’m definately going to try this x
You’re welcome 😊💗
Excellent tutorial. Thank you
Thank you for watching, glad you liked it 🤗💗
That was very helpful, TYFS 😊❤
Glad it was helpful! 🤗💗
I'm curious.......Will the softpastels not fill up, the tooth of the paper? And makes it so much harder to put down pencils on top?. Because of the thick pastel layer there might be not enough tooth left for any pencil layers????
I know what you mean, but it has worked for me and I tend to do a lot of layering when I come in with pencils. 🤗💗
❤🙏
💗💜💗
Do I have to use a fixative if I use soft pastel? I wanna try this, but I didn't wanna use the spray cause you know the pages are kinda thin.
Soft pastels are messy and they will transfer if not sprayed with fixative, so I would definitely recommend using the spray! I use the spray on Amazon paper too and it works fine for me 🤗💗
@@shelscolouringjourney Does it have to be workable fixative in order to apply pencils (not water colors) on top of the pastel base areas after I spray it?
Krylon workable fixative does wonders with almost any media, because you can apply a layer of fixative, add what you want, re-apply, re-work…as often as needed if you don’t want to mix certain layers of colouring,watercolour, pastel chalk, etc. It will prevent your different mediums / colours to be affected.
It is not very ecological to throw away coton pads… as artists or colourists, I think we have a responsibility to use washable/ reusable supplies as much as we can! There’s even paper towels that can be washed many many times before they decompose and then you put them in the composting bin. I find it frustrating when I hear talented people talk so lightly about cleaning up and encouraging publicly to waste gleefully just because it is tedious! I really love what you do on your channel but I beg you to reconsider and shop for great products that can be washed so easily! For example, The stamps with interchangeable pads (holding with Velcro) can be thrown in a mesh bag and to a delicate or perma press cycle, then hang the mesh bag outside or over a sink and it will dry. Even paper stumps that come into so many sizes will last a long time and can be cleaned with just a sand pad/block is better than throwing away supplies after one usage! I know I’m not the only one to be disappointed by that comment about choosing the easy (lazy) way instead of the responsible way. You should skip altogether using chalk pastel if it’s too hard for you to clean up. I’m not an eco freak, but I do try my best to reuse, recycle, repurpose as much as I can. Every little gesture counts when the environment is concerned even if it seems such a small thing to throw away coton pads… think of all the people that does the same as you do, now, because you said it was so much easier…. To be a public figure means to be responsible and voice responsible choices.
If you have watched my later videos you will see my soft pastel technique has changed since the filming of this video. 🤗