I have been enjoying using subtractive techniques in my acrylic paintings. I layer color on the surface and let that dry. Then, I cover that layer with another color. Before it dries, I remove parts of it with a variety of tools like color shapers, skewers, etc . This reveals the color or colors below. It can have very interesting effects.

 

Why not try this with pastel? I applied pastel to a sheet of Lux Archival paper. Then I took pipe foam insulation to push the pigment into the paper.

 

 

Then I started establishing lighter values by erasing the pastel. I used a variety of erasers including my electric eraser.

 

 

I used some stencils to erase and create a pattern on the vase. Then I used a few positive strokes and lightened the background.

 

 

I couldn't resist using an intense Diane Townsend pastel to bump up the pink color and I strengthened the darks. Here is the final painting, "Less is More."

 

 

This is just one more technique to remember in your pastel painting. It can be very useful.

Happy painting,

Sue Flanagan