The November Zoom Demonstration by Les Darlow was billed as Winter Landscape in soft pastels over watercolour.
I confess to have got a bit confused, because it wasn’t what I was expecting. It was fascinating, and brilliant, and Les is obviously a very talented artist, but it seemed to me to be all about the new materials he was using. What about those of us who have a stock of pastel paper, watercolour paper, watercolours and soft pastels that we want to use up before adding more kit to our overflowing art …box?
The materials are clearly wonderful. A new fabric for painting on, developed by Les’s students. Use for pastels or watercolour – and spray the back to help with the colour fixing. Pan pastels you apply with a sponge (I missed whether this was a wet sponge, or dry). No need for pastel dust on your fingers, clothes or the end of your nose… or anywhere else.
Les’s pictures were brilliant. Very brilliant, and I think this was part of the glory of applying the pastels with the sponge on the fabric. His work was based some pictures which were originally quite dark, and as he reminded us: It’s our picture, we can do what we like with our prompt. Any colours, crop it how you like, add or subtract. In Les’s case they were much more vibrant.
It was a fascinating demonstration, and I think most of us enjoyed it, even if we were left wondering if we could really use the same techniques with our soft pastels over dry watercolours.
Brenda kindly circulated details of the fabric and Pan Pastels from Les afterwards. If you’ve lost the email here they are again:
Those interested in the fabric should contact Chris Brookes at chris_brookes@sky.com
Les has also sent information of an offer he is promoting on his website for Christmas.
Les says: Should anyone be interested I have an offer (Ultimate Pastel Package) on my website for Christmas with over 70% off. Six downloadable books with ten step by step projects, plus six pre recorded workshops via Zoom with over 12 hours of tuition plus much more, just click the link…
Ultimate Pastel Package – LES DARLOW FINE ART
Les Darlow – www.lesdarlow.com
