Cold Snow, Warm Candlelight

The recent blizzard here dropped 24 inches of wind-blown snow. We lost power for a while and lit the candles seen in this pastel, "Candlelight". The wet weather this week has reduced the snow but it's still beautiful as we begin Lent tomorrow. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! 

Using Copper Reflections in a Still Life

Copper is a great element to add to still life pastels. Depending on lighting, how tarnished it is, or whether it picks up reflections from other objects, copper can assume many different co Copper is a great element to add to still life pastels. Depending on lighting, how tarnished it is, or whether it picks up reflections from other objects, copper can assume many different colors. I like the color red and I can always find a way to work some red into a copper still life pastel. Being metallic it usually has a vivid highlight picked up from the lighting. I can use that as an anchor to build the design of a pastel painting around. People invariably love bright reflections on a metal surface. It’s attractive to the eye and it gives the viewer a place to start, before looking at the rest of the painting. In other words copper in a stil life makes a great center of interest. Here’s an example of one of the many still life efforts I’ve done involving copper. It’s available for sale and the contact information to learn more is pmcreedon@optonline.net or visit my website: pecreedon.com

Camelias by Paul Creedon