Tracy Haines how to art videos on pastel painting Pastel painting for beginners, materials and techniques for painting in pastel

Hello!

I recently launched a YouTube channel where I will post short video tutorials on art.

As mentioned on my recent YouTube video,  I am happy to provide a written list of materials mentioned in the course of the teaching demonstrations.
(View videos on YouTube under Tracy Haines Fine Art)

In the Getting Started in Pastel video, pastel papers and various brands of pastels were mentioned.
Find most of these at your local art supply store or check out Blick or Jerry's Artorama online.

Pastels:
-small box of hard pastels such as Nupastels ( a box of 36-96, depending on your budget)
-box of soft pastels: Rembrandt is high quality and budget friendly- they are of medium hardness.  Other soft pastels to consider:  Terry Ludwig ( these are square and luscious- my favorites), Unison ( I love these- they are soft, round and thick and don't break and crumble easily) Sennelier and Schmincke.
I recommend visiting an art supply store and buying a few of the various brands to see what you like before investing in a large box of any one brand.

Papers:

If you are new to pastel, buy a 9x12 pad of Canson mi Tientes paper in earth colors. This is a good quality paper and reasonable in price.  Buy a small pad of Wallis sanded paper if you can find it.
Pick up a single sheet of Art Spectrum Colourfix Coated pastel paper or UArt Sanded pastel paper.  The Wallis , UArt and Art Spectrum will allow you to try my wet underpainting technique. ( Sennelier La Carte Pastel Card does not allow for a wet treatment)

Other items:  vine charcoal, workable fixative,   box of vinylgloves (or Gloves in a Bottle or ArtGaurd) to protect your skin, turpenoid or Gamsol odorless mineral spirits by Gamblin.

I suggest subscribing to Pastel Journal.  I learned so much when I began pastel painting from this monthly magazine.


Fresh off the easel!

Lair Abstracted is a 9x9 pastel painting on Canson mi Tientes paper.
Sold unframed,   $ 55.00

Intro to How to paint in pastels video YouTube series art studio tips, art studio tours, art supplies pastel techniques

I am excited to launch a series of YouTube videos for beginners in pastel techniques!  This video below is a trailer introduction.  The series will be getting underway soon.

These will be free, short "how to" clips covering studio set-up, supplies, techniques and all things arts related.

If you are new to pastels, consider subscribing to my channel, Tracy Haines Fine Art and tune in!

Here is an older thumbnail pastel study I did. How in the world the snow is falling in this photo is a complete mystery to me........... wow.  If you are tech savvy and know how this might have happened, please leave me a comment.   Bizarre, althoughI must say, I kind of like the affect.

Visit my Etsy store, Tracy's Etsy Store, TracyHainesFineArt to see some of my other studies I am selling at a bargain price now.

Colorful abstract impressionist Floral pastel painting Colorado artist Tracy Haines

Floral Pastel for sale on Etsy!

Ahhhhhhhh it feels good to be back home!  Back home with pastels for a change.  This was my first medium, and really, probably the one I am forever most comfortable in.

I am exploring more abstraction in my work. In the design, the color- all aspects.

Many have asked me if I teach workshops.  I will eventually. 

Meantime, I am thinking of doing a short video on the process of painting!  I'm taking short help sessions from the local Apple store. Much to learn!

Stay tuned!

Tracy Haines Fine Art Oil paintings wall art daily paintings Lily Pond quotes and tips

Lily won 3rd place in a recent CFAI art contest.  I entered very last minute on a whim and didn't think much more about it .  What a nice surprise!


Studio quote of the Day:

If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each mans heart sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.  - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Studio tip of the Day:

Murphy oil soap is a less expensive and great way to clean oil painting brushes.  It cleans them well and also conditions them.

I am following the advice of  artist, writer and businessman Jack White and selling select small studies on eBay.  It's a bit of a risky venture for me; some pieces sell for very little.  I begin the bidding usually at a dollar, and sometimes the bids go way up, sometimes I lose a painting for a dollar.  The idea is that over time, you develop a following and bids begin to consistently rise.  I was seeing this happen, when suddenly sales stopped.  eBay is changing policy and many sellers are finding inconsistent results now.  Not sure I will be able to continue this for much longer.

If you would like a chance to win a painting for a whole lot less than it sells for anywhere else, check out my stuff currently on eBay:    eBay Paintings