Monday, April 21, 2008

Pastels and old buildings

The Desert Wins
9 x 12 soft pastels on Art Spectrum Colourfix
Miki Willa
I really like using pastels on old buildings. When I first started, I had some trouble controlling my touch. Every stroke was just like the one before it. Now, I am pleased to say, I am getting better. I can use a different touch on each layer to get just the look I want for weathered siding like in the eave of this building. I also enjoyed the different strokes to create the adobe feel of the building. The foliage of the big bush was great fun to do with light strokes in several colors. I really had fun doing this painting.
This building is on the east side of the built up area of the Antelope Valley. In fact, it is right across the street from a very new housing development. As I was driving east, this scene grabbed my eye. I don't know what the yellow wildflowers are, but they really look beautiful with the tumbleweeds and Joshua Trees. I will be doing another Joshua Tree painting tomorrow. This one has tons of character.

1 comment:

virtual nexus said...

Interesting to see this structure in comparison with many of the stone buildings I saw last week.

What you said about using different strokes on different layers is helpful; I find square sticks tricky to control at times. Thanks for the comment on mine, I'd be pleased to see the photo link of the desert.