Frequently Asked Questions About My Pastel Paintings:
What brand of pastels do you use?
I use many different brands. Each one has its own characteristics. The pastels vary from hard to soft and each type is useful for different tasks. My favorite brands are Terry Ludwig, Great American, and Girault.
What paper do you use?
Again, there are many different types of paper out there. I frequently use Colorfix or Wallis paper because they have a lot of tooth or sanding on them and they hold the pastel very well. Wallis paper comes in white and Belgian Mist (a beige/gray color).
Do you spray your finished work?
I do not spray my paintings. A lot of pastel artists do but I find that the sprays darken my work and for me, the beauty of pastel is that the painting actually glows. The light reflects off each and every piece of pastel, like "magic dust."
Do you sketch first before beginning to paint?
Yes, I do sketch. I use a charcoal pencil and lightly sketch my subject to make sure the composition will work. Then I get to the fun part, the COLOR!
Do you paint "plein air" or from photos?
I do both. When I use a photo, however, it is ALWAYS my own photograph. I generally will crop the photo before beginning to paint. I also keep a file of my photographs for reference, and I do take a photo of my finished work as well.
Do pastel paintings last over time?
Yes. Pastel is pure pigment. It will last as long as, if not longer than oil paintings.
What about framing?
The framer has to be a little more careful with a pastel painting. They have to be matted with spacers to allow for any pastel dust to fall behind the mat. We are very careful to frame all of my paintings using the proper techniques so they will last indefinitely. We also are careful to use only archival materials in the process.
If you have any other questions, please contact me at shelleykoop@yahoo.com, and I will try to answer them as soon as I can.
