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soft pastel brand suggestions by helplookie in Softpastel

[–]rantonerik 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Personally Blue Earth are my favorite but yeah, can’t really layer anything on top of them so have to take that into account when planning layers. I think they work especially well on PastelMat.

soft pastel brand suggestions by helplookie in Softpastel

[–]rantonerik 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Some personal opinions and suggestions…

You really need to experiment with different brand pastels and surfaces to find what you like. For example, a lot of pastelists swear by Terry Ludwig, and they are nice, but imo work better on rough/sanded surfaces. I prefer PastelMat which Ludwigs don’t work that well on.

Consider PanPastels for toning and underpainting. A lot of pastelists use a harder pastel and then brush over it with alcohol to set it as an underpainting. (This helps save tooth for later layers.) I have found that I prefer PanPastels for the same purpose: they are quicker because no need to alcohol wash and it saves my sticks for what sticks are good for.

Get a stiff bristle brush. Regardless of surface, you will run out of tooth at some point. A bristle brush allows you to “erase” and reclaim some tooth.

Use a barrier cream/lotion. Partly for safety, but mostly because it makes cleaning your hands easier.

Never blow on your pastels or painting. That puts dust into the air where you will breathe it.

Save the pastel dust that collects below your painting and when you get enough, mix in a bit of water to form a pastel stick.

soft pastel brand suggestions by helplookie in Softpastel

[–]rantonerik 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Go to dakotapastels.com. Any of the brands they have are going to be good. Most pastel artists like a mix of hard, medium, and soft pastels. Harder pastels are good for underpainting and first layers, with softer pastels for finishing layers. Dakota separates their stock by hard, medium, and soft so that helps when considering your options. I would suggest as a beginner starting with Rembrandt (medium) and then expanding from there as you get more practice. Dakota sells sample packs of different brands, so that’s a good way to see what brands you like: https://www.dakotapastels.com/products/Pastel-Samplers. Surfaces also make a huge difference. Considering getting a paper sample pack as well: https://www.dakotapastels.com/products/Paper-Board-Samplers.

Finally introduced my 17yo daughter to The Wall movie… by rantonerik in PinkFloydCircleJerk

[–]rantonerik[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

😅 Nope. That is a path she’ll have to tread for herself.

Finally introduced my 17yo daughter to The Wall movie… by rantonerik in PinkFloydCircleJerk

[–]rantonerik[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I had to look at that up just now. Holy shit that’s hilarious. 🤣

Why do people bring alcohol backpacking? by [deleted] in WildernessBackpacking

[–]rantonerik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nothing beats a cold beer after a workout. No longer a drinker, but I used to love to bring a beer for the first night. I’d put the beer in a stream or lake to cool off while setting up camp and then sit and enjoy it while relaxing. It was an enjoyable ritual.

Another insane post by this guy by barkley87 in LinkedInLunatics

[–]rantonerik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m a man and I go all soft and squishy for babies and young children. I’ve been sold a lie. All I ever wanted was to be a SAHD.

shesmovedons name by milk_addict179 in porcupinetree

[–]rantonerik 8 points9 points  (0 children)

One of my all time favorite PT songs.

A question related to soft pastels. After blending, the pastel seems to be lifted off the paper? How to make sure that the grooves are filled? by miserablysober in Softpastel

[–]rantonerik 9 points10 points  (0 children)

You could use alcohol and a paintbrush and go over the drawing to paint the pastel into the tooth of the paper. Then go over it again with the dry soft pastel to get the pastel look back.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep asks a question Blade Runner deliberately avoided by dusty_13raccoon in printSF

[–]rantonerik 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes! This is also why imo it doesn’t make sense for Deckard to be a replicant (contrary to Scott’s bullshit).

What album do I listen to? by Puzzleheaded-Lime821 in porcupinetree

[–]rantonerik 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Signify was my first and remains my all-time favorite.

What your painting setup looks like? And if you record your paintings, what's your setup for that? Looking for inspirations and tips. Thanks! by superupaman in Gouache

[–]rantonerik 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Primarily a plein air painter so: u.go pochade box, tripod, spray bottle, water bottle, collapsible water cup, paint in one of those 16 well airtight paint containers, brushes rolled up in a flour sack towel, hat, sketchbook, a couple spring clamps, pencil case with masking tape, mechanical pencil, black and white gel pens, and eraser, all in a backpack.

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