A Pastel Project – Work in Progress

Photo of stems in a vase

My contribution to Studio Shots – Tuesday for this week is a pastel work in progress. The inspiration for it came out my post for last week when I showed a page out of my sketch book and  the supplies I use in my portable art studio, which consists of a plastic box full of colored pencils. The project I was working on was a vase of flowers, which was wilting before my eyes, way before I was through with the sketch. I took some pictures so I could still draw before its condition deteriorated completely, and one of those pictures was of the vase with the stems only. It was an interesting subject to me and I decided to do a pastel painting of it.

Pastel drawing of a vase with stems - in progress

I have the bare bones of it established. Next, I will add  some unexpected color, shape or texture to make it a little more exciting. I also think it needs a curled leaf or two in the lower right hand corner. I’ll post a photo of the finished painting soon.

I found some storage/carrying cases for pastels a few years ago that have worked out very well.  A layer of rice in the bottom of each plastic case keeps the pastels clean. I thought I would add a link to the cases, and although Artbin, the maker of them, is still in business, a thorough search of the website did not turn up the cases.  Perhaps they don’t make them any longer?  There were some other cases, however, that looked like they would be useful.

Storage/carrying case for pastels