In the forest again with oil pastels
For the next small oil pastel sketch in the woods I selected a detail view of some trunks in the background. Is started with black and a dark grey as basic colors for the trunks and added other, lighter colors on top. Over time one learns about layering and depending on the wanted result may start with a lighter color and add dark on top or vice versa.
I put those colors I have used a bit outside of the tray so I can keep the color scheme coherent. It helps to reproduce same color mixtures where necessary.
Also I learned to make notes of the color numbers/product codes, because it is much easier then to re-order your favorite olive green.. or similar.
I love these oil pastels and the effect of the irregular “tooth” or roughness that I got on the pages primed with thinned oil color. It is not necessary to press or rub with the pastel pieces, the light touch is the best, but sometimes it can be necessary to apply pressure on the top layer.
The dark brown underground made a great match to the woody debris and the old,dry foliage and inspired some still life photography.
How to draw a tree- Publication on Blurb
Forest diary- the sketchbook re-print on Blurb
Buy Print on Redbubble
on 11. June 2012
I really like this work Martin. But what kind of paper are you using?
on 12. June 2012
Hello Bridget,
the sketchbook I use is an altered art book that I bought very cheap already with the intention to abuse it as sketchbook. The paper is probably something like 160 g/sqm. I think any paper from 150 g/sqm upwards is suitable.
Of course the process to prime with thinned oil colors is not commended if you intent to do works that last for ever. The acid from the oil colors eventually will eat up the carbon buffer that is used in most of our papers today and after that an acidic destruction will take place. So I guess this sketchbook will fall apart in about 100-150 years from now.