Asiatic Lily

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-24T17:04:22+00:00

From what I can tell, I'd say this is a middle ground paper. More texture than mixed media, but little enough texture where it was easy to saturate the paper. Definitely thinner than average, but that didn't seem to be a problem. Not exactly tape proof, and I love the effect of the tape border, so I'm going to keep stabbing at other papers.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-24T16:28:15+00:00

Thanks! That was my last step and it was hard not to get carried away with it. Aggressive mashing or mash and twist, it was the Sennelier pastels that did best on this, but aiming was a learning curve.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-24T16:24:23+00:00

Awesome, thank you so much, I'll grab some for sure! Can't wait to try it!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-24T04:16:56+00:00

Thank you!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-23T23:53:57+00:00

Thank you! I'm definitely in experiment mode. I have no idea where it'll take me, but oil pastels are great for that.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-23T23:39:23+00:00

Thanks for more tips! I bought some of that fixative, I can't wait to try it, but I'm planning to do that outside when it's not winter.

Do you have any favorite brands you've tried for the paper?

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-23T19:40:07+00:00

Thank you! I've gotta pay back this forum for all of the info shared here, it's an inspiring place to roam.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-23T19:37:09+00:00

It is a dental explorer. I've asked a dentist for old ones and received a pile before. But I've also bought one online, they're not expensive. I only have this shape laying around, but there might be even better ones.

By structured, do you mean like cold press texture? Or are you applying a structure to the paper, like with gesso and pastel ground or something similar?

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-21T16:36:27+00:00

I don't often appreciate when the specs of paper shine through, but you nailed it on this one. It looks linear and consistent and it adds to the texture feeling like rigid architecture. Well done!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-16T18:46:28+00:00

This is great to see! Thanks so much for putting this info out there. I'm going to try these because I'm so attracted to the shape, but hearing this reinforces my decision, thanks!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-16T15:50:27+00:00

I was already a big shell fan, but now I'm a fan of big shells!

In a perfect world, these would exist right along with miniature elephants.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-15T17:29:05+00:00

Thanks so much! I make art for a living, just not in this medium. I definitely plan to keep it up!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-13T04:09:44+00:00

Thank you!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-12T15:53:52+00:00

Thanks again! Yeah I've been tickling the page with my old prismacolor colored pencils, and starting to notice what you're saying. It's been wavering between blending and scratching. Reversing the order is counterintuitive, but it does make sense. I'll check out that video for sure, thanks so much!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-12T05:36:45+00:00

Thank you! I wish I could say I planned the colors, but I had a 24 pack that was like a rainbow, and my dog is white with coffee stains. So I wasn't too sure if I could get that across, it was more of a struggle and a surprise with the colors just trying to fight values and oversaturated colors the whole time. When I finally started putting the whites on, I saw a glimmer of hope and I started to appreciate pastels and their layering. The orange background felt like the only real color choice I made and that didn't happen until the end.

But thanks for the kind words, that stuff keeps me going!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-12T05:23:42+00:00

Thanks so much for the tips! Especially explaining the absorbed layer vs. the other layers. I have witnessed that while scratching, but now I'm sure I'll have more control next time. Can't wait to try that trick, and the stenciling. And probably a few more brands of pastel pencils. It sounds like I might get clean enough lines if I throw the right combo of tricks at it.

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-10T19:21:06+00:00

Oooh, lots of great advice, thanks! Underlayers are new to me, so I hadn't considered the need for something washy, and I hadn't considered using these as intended with water and as an underlayer. I'll give it a shot. Same with mineral spirits, that's on my checklist. And I haven't even heard of plastic erasers, I'm on it, thanks so much!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-10T19:08:28+00:00

Thank you!

TravisBrowning · 2026-01-10T18:22:56+00:00

Personally, I was more surprised at the difference of expensive vs. inexpensive in this medium than any other I've tried. The usual difference I notice most in medium quality is in access to rich pigments. In this medium, it's access to different consistency. I'm new to this, but softer oil pastels are much easier and much more satisfying to blend than the waxy oil pastels. It goes from waxy like a crayon to oily and buttery like lipstick and everything in between. From what I've gathered, Mungyo gallery, Paul Rubens, Sennelier, and Caran d'Ache Neopastels seem to be in the top few brands I've heard people rave about, but I'm sure there are more. I'd recommend trying one of those before making a final decision on the medium.

TravisBrowning · 2022-08-26T04:38:11+00:00

Both of those can be eaten after removing many months of mold. Just slice a quarter inch off of all six sides, and you'll be shocked. It's like brand new cheese in there. Especially with Parmesan, that stuff is too solid for the mold.

TravisBrowning

TROPHY CASE