Tears, Fears & Smears

[Sacgal/Sharon]

I still think the grapes are ready for framing - it's really excellent! And I love love love the flower painting - can't wait to see this one completed. You and pastels are well suited to each other...And one of these days, when I find the time to fly to your boat to visit you, I'll bring a suitcase filled with whatever painting supplies you need!!

[Val]

Aw bless you Sharon you are a sweetheart.     Sadly our time in Belize is up. Couldn't manage to wrangle one more month...but I did try!     We've already had one month more than normally allowed! 
Just love it here. 

So we are off down to Guatemala shortly for a time but hope to be back in Belize for a month or two before we must tuck PJ away for another hurricane season. Really looking forward to some road trips though! The buses are always an adventure!            

[Sacgal/Sharon]

On the road with Val - another book possibility!!

[Val]

     Funny you should mention that.... I was looking through our old log books the other day..... who knows, perhaps, maybe! 

Almost 1/2 done on my new painting!   

[Val]

The wifi here is too slow to upload, I wanted to put up Byron's House done with just the Pan Pastels, and then post the finished item once finished with the stick pastels.

I've been trying to review the first couple of lessons to get the hang of the sticks. Wow are they different! I think I'm going to love using these. 

[Fiona]

I know you are going to love using the pastel sticks Val     There's something organic about them that I love and getting dirty is just half the fun 

[Val]

You are so right Fi!!!     I managed to do the green apple from the techniques lesson at 'O' dark 30 this morning!     Have got too get my modem recharged! It was a real challenge as i had to use black paper.  Actually turned out not too too bad. Very hard to photograph though, the colours just seem to fade to almost white. Will try again later.

i got sticks! 

[Val]

Trying once again.....

Details

            

[Fiona]

Excellent apple Val 

Isn't it amazing the difference the sticks make? And I see you are using Canson paper as well    One of my favourite supports, although I seem to use the smooth side most often. Looking forward to seeing more of your pastels     

Cheers Fi

[Kathysutterlin]

  Hi Val, I just read up on your pastel thread. I love what you are creating in this medium.    I am looking forward to that flower when it is finished. It looks like a plumeria to me. Is it?

[Val]

Thanks Fi. The sticks are so different from the small set I originally bought, those were so hard it was a fight to get them on the paper, and to blend was a nightmare and they left scratchy marks behind. It was after that I bought the Pans. Just like painting they said, you're a watercolourist you'll love them! No I don't, they are great to a point but too many battles.

So, now i have some sticks to try and already I love them! What a difference     I was so pleased with my green apple yesterday I forgot to put my solar light outside to recharge....no good light to work with so had to erase my attempt at the red apple and will start again tonight. So exciting I don't want to put the box down! 

[Val]

Thank you Kathy. I'll most likely be starting that one over as I can't match the colours... after all the struggles with that one, doing a new one with my sticks should be a breeze!  maybe?!   

[linley.plester]

Such god news Val (that you are enjoying your new pastels).  with the apple. and I liked the frangipani too. Keep on posting, and of course 

[dennis]

 

[Gita]

The apple looks great, Val! Happy to know that you are enjoying your pastel sticks.