I began my third year studying with Richard Halstead, portrait artist who has a studio in Evanston. I have finally graduated to using color pastels after two years working in black, white and the greys in between. I am using Nupastels and pastel pencils on Canson Mi-Tientes paper. There is a limitation because of the necessity of traveling on public transportation ... you can't haul too much! I would love to be using Rembrandt soft pastels as well, but had to draw the line.
We began the fall with John as our model. He was the second model we had in my first year. This is John from this term:
This is John from my first year. I hope you can see an improvement.
Mallory was our model in October. I am beginning to understand how to apply pastels. It is really tricky. You have to be careful not to put on too many layers. At some point the paper won't take any more pigment.
Richard (of the toupees) was our model in November. You can see my earlier Richard if you look back.
Sarah was the model in December. I got some excellent feedback from Richard which was, of course, welcome. We usually spend what little time there is on what needs work. (It's clear though that I have to work on my "darks.")
In January I'll be switching to the morning class because I can a ride!! This is the best news : not to have to take the el during January, February and March.
