Pastel
Chalk Pencil Portraits
Pastel
Chalk portraits are realistic, beautiful color
drawings that capture the subject in soft colors.
I often combine pastel chalk with graphite, charcoal,
colored pencil or other mediums. The additional
mediums let me add detail and deepen shadows.
I
draw realistic pastel chalk portrait of people,
pets, vehicles, and more. You can commission pastel
chalk portraits in a variety of sizes. I welcome
special requests. You may have text (such as name
or date) hand drawn on your portrait, and a hand
drawn background. I
can create your portrait from one photo, or subjects
from multiple photos can be combined to create
a single pastel chalk portrait.
Several
paper sizes are available for you to choose from:
6x8, 9x12, 11x14, 14x17, 16x20,
and 18x24. (These sizes are for white paper
only.)
Pastel
Chalk contrasts beautifully with colored papers.
Ask me about my toned paper, and we can choose
a color that fits your portrait. Toned papers
are available in sizes 9x12
and 11x14
Quality
Materials
All
Pastel Chalk portraits are drawn with General's
Pastel Chalk Pencils and Sticks, and Faber-Castell
Pitt Pastel Pencils.
White
paper used for portraits is Strathmore smooth
finish, 2-ply Bristol paper. This paper is true
white, and thick so it resists creasing. It is
also acid free so it resists yellowing.
Tones
papers are also acid free, and include Strathmore
Artagain paper, and Toned Tan and Toned Gray paper.
Creative
Process
I
start a Pastel Chalk portrait with a detailed sketch
of my subject. I may rough in some of the shadows
with graphite or charcoal to get a feel for the
values in the portrait. I begin carefully choosing
the right colors, and start building the tones using
the lightest tones first. I may apply the color
with the pencils, or uses a soft cloth for smooth
tones. I blend the colors using tortillions, a soft
cloth, or rubber eraser.
Each
detailed drawing takes many hours to complete. I
normally work on a portrait over several days, a
small section at a time. I like to step away from
a portrait occasionally, so when I return to it,
I see the drawing fresh, and can make changes. Making
these many small changes over a few days allows
me to create realistic portraits. Please plan ahead
and order early for your next special event.
Will
my Pastel Chalk Portrait last?
Yes,
if treated with care, you portrait will stand the
test of time. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
- Always
handle pastel chalk portraits with care, touching
only the edges of the paper. Touching a pastel
chalk portrait directly may cause smudging.
- Keep
your portrait from direct sunlight, humidity
and water. Always keep your portrait in a climate
controlled environment. Humidity and moisture
can severely damage the paper, causing wrinkling
and discoloration.
- Store
flat, not rolled.
- Make
sure anything touching the paper in the frame,
such as the mat or cardboard backing, is made
from archival safe, acid free material.
Watercolor
Pencil Portraits
Watercolor
Pencil portraits are realistic paintings that
portray the subject using wet media. I often combine
watercolor pencils with other dry and wet mediums.
Mediums include vibrant Derwent Inktense pencils,
and Graphitint Pencils. I may also incorporate
colored pencil or another wet medium such as Gouche
paint to create fine details.
I
paint portraits of people, pets, vehicles, and
more. Watercolor portraits can be commissioned
in a variety of sizes and I welcome special requests.
You may have text (such as name or date) hand
painted on your portrait, and I can create a custom
background. Portraits
can be painted from one photo, or subjects from
multiple photos can be combined to create a Watercolor
portrait.
Several
paper sizes are available for you to choose from:
6x8, 8x12, 9x12, 11x14, 16x20,
and 18x24.
Quality
Materials
Watercolor
portraits are primarily painted using General's
and Derwent's Watercolor pencils. When I incorporate
other mediums they are usually Derwent or Prismacolor
brand.
I
paint on Strathmore 400 or 500 series watercolor
paper. This paper is white, thick, and acid free
so it resists yellowing. It also resist buckling
when it is saturated.
Creative
Process
I
start a Watercolor portrait with a detailed sketch,
and then I do an under painting with watercolor
to establish the tonal values in the portrait. I
will continue to add layers of watercolor pencil,
and then begin working on the details of the subject,
such as the eyes and hair.
Each
painting takes a long time to finish. Please plan
ahead and order early for your next special event.
Will
my Watercolor Portrait last?
Yes,
if treated with care, you portrait will stand the
test of time. Here are a few guidelines to follow:
- Always
handle Watercolor portraits by the edges of
the paper. The oils in your skin can affect
the paper.
- Keep
your portrait from direct sunlight, humidity
and water. Always keep your portrait in a climate
controlled environment. Humidity and moisture
can severely damage the paper, causing wrinkling
and discoloration.
- Store
flat, not rolled.
- Make
sure anything touching the paper in the frame,
such as the mat or cardboard backing, is made
from archival safe, acid free material.
