Thanks. Every day is a school day. I'm going to be trying this. 👍

I too am a watercolor person. I have never tried soft pastels (only pitt pastel pencils - very limited knowledge) but I enjoy watching you do your art and hearing you speak about your love of Jesus. I have a friend that is one of your patrons and she is learning so much from you and doing beautifully. What a about hot press paper? It is a much smoother paper, though it too may have some sizing on it as well. Just a thought. Thank you again for sharing this information.

@hemjoo

Жыл бұрын

Same thought here: what about HP wc paper?

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Bless you Margaret... I love how my channel connects me with other believers in Christ

Susan, thank you so much for sharing Bruce's technique, it has proved really valuable. Your videos have helped loads to improve my basic knowledge of art techniques generally. Appreciate the hard work that goes into the content. Thanks again

I have been using hand-sanded w/c paper for my soft pastels for many years. I’ve made a couple of changes to the paper preparation that I think makes the process easier. First of all, if I can find hot pressed w/c paper on sale, I use that. Hot-pressed paper is perfectly smooth and can decrease the time it takes to sand it. However, it is more expensive. The biggest change I’ve made is that I now use a belt sander to sand the paper. I put my heavy grit sandpaper on the belt sander and just guide it over the w/c paper. If it needs more pressure, I gently lean into it. It does present one problem. You can’t use a wet underpainting on this surface. If you do, you will lose all of that wonderful texture you brought up with the sander. Happy painting!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Susan, what helpful feedback! And I have a belt sander! I think I’m going to get some hot pressed paper. That was very helpful about how a Watercolor or underpainting would pretty much ruined any attempt at adding pastel. I was going to try that so you just save me some time and money. Thank you sweetheart!

@hemjoo

Жыл бұрын

@@monetcafe oh pls do try the hot pressed wc paper and left us know/see the results😀

@staciejones1851

Жыл бұрын

@@monetcafe I did an underpainting first, let it dry, then sanded it. I didn't loose all that much of the underpainting!

I have soooooo much water colour paper and I would much rather use what I have and spend my money on more pastels! Thank you so much!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome Brenda. I am very excited about this technique 👏🙌🏻💜

@helenwinter2115

2 ай бұрын

Yes I am the same; I have a lot of water colour paper as I have been painting with water colours for years. Now I am trying pan pastels and pencils I will definitely try the sand paper as I don't want to waste my water colour paper. If you leave it for a long time the sizing can break up and you get a mottled effect when you use wet paint, which is horrible.

Thank you for sharing this tip! I have somehow managed to accumulate a lot of watercolor paper and now I'm so excited to try this.

@monetcafe

6 ай бұрын

YAY!! Thank you! @kathyfitz151 Comments like this are part of why I do this. I love inspiring others, especially in their art journey! Thank you for your sweet comment! Glad I could help!! 💜

This is great! I've been struggling to find pastel paper that actually works in my country but failed miserably. This seems like a good substitute, plus I'm already doing watercolor so love that the material can be used flexibly for other medium too.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That is so great to hear my friend! I know of many people in other countries who have a struggle getting surfaces for soft pastel painting. I’m so glad this will be a great solution.

This is interesting because I’ve been using watercolor paper for oil pastels for a little while and I found it to have the perfect amount of tooth

Thanks for such a helpful video!

Yes. Amazing.

Fabulous painting,attractive,enchanting

Totally new to pastels. I have them sitting in my cupboard for 3 years.. I know. I tried with charcoal as a young artist and the emotion it gave me was amazing. I tried with pastels and like it but haven't done anything. Since then I've ventured into watercolour and enjoy that immensely. I've always wanted to get into pastels and now you've given me a reason. Wonderful tutorial, thank you for your knowledge. God Bless.

@monetcafe

5 ай бұрын

Wow, I absolutely love your comment! You can do it! And I like your screen name… I’m ambidextrous too!

Thank you, Susan. I’m going to try this method!

I will give this a try . Thanks .

Wow, beautiful, thanks so much for this one!

Awesome painting thank you for sharing Susan👌🇱🇷

Wow Susan. I will be trying this method. Thank you for sharing.❤

Thanks for your videos, love your work. I do watercolor and oil, and have soft pastels I've worked with before , last year sometime I saw a KZread by Karen Margulis who was discussing the clear gesso method she posted about 9 years ago. So rather than use my expensive watercolor paper, I used inexpensive 140lb cold press and completely taped it to a board, to avoid any warping, then tinted it with a solid watercolor hue, then once dry, applied clear gesso... It worked fantasticly, to leave me with a nice grit toothy surface, that would take several layers quite well. I also tried the sanding method but I was afraid I'd burr up and damage the surface too much, and didn't really notice any additional tooth, that was beneficial. Took a bit more time, but once a few boards are used, it's all taped down to accept both treatments, assembly line style, and I have a stack of full color undercoated paper, ready for pastels. Very happy with it. Thanks again

@DianaMoon11428

2 ай бұрын

I don't understand the need for removing the sizing if you're going to cover the paper with gesso. Also in a previous video Susan showed a terrific technique: lay down a first layer, mixing pastels with airbrush medium, which makes them painterly. Cover that layer w/the gesso & layer away. Genius. I also think your technique is genius. But I don't see the utility of the initial sanding step - in fact to me the damage may cause problems down the road. It's there for a reason.

@scottkendall5655

2 ай бұрын

​@@DianaMoon11428 I never mentioned "sanding" off anything...I didn't suggest that for anyone to try, ever, at all; In fact I mentioned my concern with the damage it might cause the paper. And since I'm not using it to paint watercolor on, the sizing on the paper is irrelevant; and as I mentioned it's inexpensive paper being used, so sizing is double irrelevant for my purposes. Definitely not genius, but thanks I guess.

Beautiful and great thank you Susan ma'm and thank you to Bruse Gomez sir too.

This is incredible, I definitely will be giving this a go!!!

Genius!!! I have tons of watercolor paper. Thank you for sharing this tip.

Interesting. Will have to give it a whirl!

Love it!!!❤

@monetcafe

8 ай бұрын

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @doloresvincent8987 really glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

Wow, wow, WOW!!! Thank you very much for sharing.

You are such a wonderful instructor! Can teach & can do is a powerful combination that affords us proper education.

WOW-- thanks for this! Finally I can get rid of the muddy results! And thank you, Bruce Gomez!

WOW! I've learned so much! And to apply many layers and not get muddy results. To good to be true! Still learning. Thank you!

Thank you.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

You're welcome, Mark!

Love it thanks Susan you are always loking out for us..the students gracias

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

You are so welcome, Gary!

Wonderful! Thanks!

@monetcafe

3 ай бұрын

Awesome @leslietihor3692, I appreciate that so much!

This is great, and I already have the sandpaper! Can’t wait to try it!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

I think you’re going to love this technique!

Amazing! I was just pondering if I could try using my beloved Arches paper with pastels. Bin so inspired to try pastels because of your beautiful work and instruction! I just ordered the Sennelier plain air set of pastels. Thank you!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Yay!!!! I'm so happy many artists will be able to use this technique with watercolor paper. And I think you will love the Sennelier pastels! Hooray!

What a great and easy technuque!

@monetcafe

2 ай бұрын

Awesome @tthappyrock368, I appreciate that so much!

Thank you so much for making this video, you have saved me a lot of time and experimentation!

@monetcafe

6 ай бұрын

Glad it helped!

Thank u mam

This was a revelation! It’s so much fun discovering other ways of doing things. Since I’m already painting my watercolor pieces on Arches 140 lb, I have plenty on hand to try out for pastels!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Wonderful, Patsy!!! I love it when things work out like that!

I have been doing this already. Works great. I also add other medias

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Excellent! I was so excited to learn this.

Thank you for the great tip both to you and to Bruce Gomez! I’m just starting to get into pastels and one thing that holds me back is the expense. I would like to be able to use something that I could feel better about using for practicing and not spending a fortune on it. Thank you again!

@monetcafe

7 ай бұрын

This has been a common challenge for me too, Connie. I'm blessed to get some art supplies gifted to me now to share on my channel, but early on I had to paint very economically. I think that's why I'm always share DIY techniques. Have fun!

I will give this a try. It will give me a chance to use large size watercolor paper with pastels, since Pastelmat is limited in size. Also, I’m wondering if you have done a video on using pastels on canvas. Thanks.

Thanks Susan! I’m just recently using pastels more seriously and looking for ways to save money on the awfully expensive sanded paper! Can’t wait to try this sometime soon!

@monetcafe

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, @nancyloomis3046! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

Another watercolor Gramma... but yes I follow Susan for sharing the love ❤️ of Jesus at a time when I really needed the encouragement. As a beginner to art in general, I enjoy watching the creation of pastel paintings by Susan! Really love the watercolor videos. Love you Susan, a California Gramma ❤️

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Bless you Ann!!! And I actually have some watercolor videos on the way!

@annenglish2935

Жыл бұрын

Thank 😊 you so much 💓

I've just found your channel & I'm amazed, this technique is what I could have really done with back in the 90's!! I tried to do a pastel painting on some Saunders Waterford 140 lb not, as you've guessed all I got were muddy colours. The better cotton papers are internally & externally sized, you could soak the paper in a bath of warm water for a period of time (experiment on the length) then sponge the surface & set aside to dry, it may still need a bit of sanding but you'd have to be careful not to rag the surface up.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome info, Alan! Thanks so much for your insight!

I have learned so much from your videos and have “liked” them always. If I did not, it’s because I forgot since I decide after I watch the video. So if I can make one suggestion I’ll say drop in a reminder at least half way through the video. You are very talented and informative.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Great tip!!! Thanks so much☺️❤️

Thank you for showing us this… as a watercolorist & recently purchasing Archival paper (expensive) i was wondering how i could utilize my watercolor… victory! I will do this… thank u soo much. Lov pastel but wow its expensive!

@monetcafe

6 ай бұрын

Hi, @barbaraonisko7441. Here is a list in my Amazon Shop of some pastel painting products I recommend for beginner pastel artists that are reasonably priced. Happy Painting! Thank you for your sweet comment! www.amazon.com/shop/monetcafewithartistsusanjenkins/list/2NY2AMTL7D050?ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_list_d

I am a watercolorist. You can also take the sizing out by putting the paper in a tub.. and if a full sheet of watercolor paper 20 x 30 " place it in the bathtub for 30 minutes or longer. The gelatin will wash out.. After taking out of the tub stretch the paper by stapling it to a board and let it dry. It should lie flat... Cut the edge off so the staple holes won't show.. then tape down with artist tape..

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Oh wow, this is great to know James! I’ll have to give that method a try myself. Thanks so much!

@cemi423

Жыл бұрын

Although removing the sizing is one goal with this method of paper preparation, the main goal is to get a suede-like texture which easily holds many layers of pastel. The end result is unlike any other pastel paper.

Thanks for the tip. I am a watercolor artist and also a collector of vintage art mediums and paper. I recently bought a block of vintage 300# cotton watercolor paper. The sizing on it has degraded over the years and it's difficult to paint on. I'm very new to pastels and will sand the remaining sizing off this paper and use it for pastel painting.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That's awesome Paula! How wonderful that you already have the paper and the degraded sizing will actually be a benefit! Have fun!

Thank you I’m in college doing watercolor black and white chalk paintings and I hate it but I love it and this helped😂😂

@monetcafe

8 ай бұрын

Thank you so much, @_BPB_! I'm so glad you liked it! Happy Painting!

Not sure how I missed this when you posted it but I have an endless supply of watercolor paper and can’t wait to use it. I have tried using it alone and I’m so excited to try this method. Thank you so much! I do have a question about this: if doing a watercolor or pastel and alcohol underpainting will sanding first affect the ability to use this paper? I am highly curious about the difference. Thanks for sharing this wonderful information! Will you please do a video with Stonehenge aqua black watercolor paper? I have tried it and so far I’m liking it but want to try it with this method also. It says on their website that it can be used with pastels so I’m curious what a more seasonal artist would think or recommend while using this paper. Thanks again Susan for sharing your experience and knowledge! You make growing as an artist so much more fun and enjoyable with these types of videos! Have a blessed week

Hey Susan! This is great thank you! Arches is a great paper for this technique as it is internally and externally sized. So if someone decides to do an underpainting the internal sizing will keep the color vibrant without affecting the pastel layer.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you so much Kim! This is exactly what I needed to know. Others have been asking if you could do a watercolor painting first after removing the initial layer of sizing. Thank you so much sweetheart I’m going to give it a try.

@KikiFu

Жыл бұрын

@@monetcafe You're welcome, hopefully it works out well for everyone 💗 it's such a cool technique!

Re the packing peanuts used for blending-do the biodegradable peanuts work as well as the foam ones? Great demo … anxious to try!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That’s a really good question… And I’m not quite sure. I’ll have to experiment.

Grandissimo consiglio! Ho provato con carta di cellulosa al 100%, molto meno costosa della Arches, ed è cambiato tutto. Il pastello aderisce con molta più efficacia, si sovrappone bene e lascia segni molto più marcati. La stessa carta, senza trattamento, creava molta difficoltà all'applicazione, trasformando il pastello in "farina", in superficie, molto difficile da gestire. Grazie !!!

Thanks for the tip! Maybe you can take it one notch up. Try using 100% cotton paper without sizing such as Baohong Academy paper - cold pressed or even rough. It's definitely cheaper than Arches but I have a feeling that it would be great for the pastels too. I have used it couple of times for oil pastels and it worked well.

@ElizabethBattle

Жыл бұрын

I have been wanting to try that kind of paper with soft pastels! I think it would work well. Arches is kinda pricey.😉

@pgakagi

Жыл бұрын

@@ElizabethBattle Baohong Academy is watercolor student grade and quite cheap and as far as I know, do3s not have sizing in it so it shluld be perfect.

@ElizabethBattle

Жыл бұрын

@@pgakagi We need to try it!

This is a great tip. Not sure if it is more convenient price wise, as Arches is quite expensive. Having said that, many 140lb/300gsm cotton watercolour paper have sizing (Fabriano, Clairefontaine, Canson Heritage) would do the same job. I will test how this would work in non-cotton paper, as cellulose paper (i.e. Canson XL Aquarelle, Hahnenmühle, Strathmore or Canson Montval 140lb/300gsm) are all also sized and significantly cheaper. Cotton fiber is essential for watercolour because of how it helps disperse the pigment in water. Since that property is not essential for pastels, sized cellulose based paper might offer a better priced point alternative if sanded as well. Will try and come back with updates. Would be nice to know if anyone else also tried on non cotton paper.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That is some great info! I really appreciate your insight into this and I would love for you to share your results.

@marjo-riittareinikainen9740

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same, concerning cellulose paper.

@berolinastrassmann

Жыл бұрын

@@monetcafe Hi! I am trying cellulose paper (Canson Aquarelle XL) and Canson MinTeintes (the smooth side) with great results for dry soft pastls. I can get 30 pages of A4 size Canson Aquarelle XL for less than 9USD and 10 A3 pages of Canson Mi-teintes for around 10 USD. I sometimes first paint a layer with gouache or watercolour as a background. I then cover it with one layer of Liquitex clear gesso (it has a fantastic gritty texture) and voila, that is a great faux-sanded paper equivalent. I'd love Pastel at but here in 🇩🇪 it costs over 25 USD for a A4 pad. So while I get better, I will go for a DIY option (and keep an eye open for good paper deals!)

Just became a Patreon!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Oh Yay!!!! Bless you Kathy! I’ll be sending you a welcome letter soon giving you more information on navigating my Patreon page. Thank you so much sweetheart.

Thanks so much. I gave up pastel because of all those problems and the expense

Does the texture become more like the Canson smooth side of the paper? Did you use a very light touch when applying the pastel? Thank you for all you do. Your work is beautiful. ❤️

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

It actually layers more smoothly than Canson paper, and you can get more layers. I was really impressed.

do you use a fixative at all on that? I am going to try this both methods- I have the sandpaper and the arches paper and also the clear gesso thank you for sharing this!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jennifer, I never spray a fixative on a soft pastel painting since it always darkens the final image. To protect my final painting for shipping or storing, I place them in a clear plastic bag I get from www.clearbags.com/bags/flat/flap-tape/crystal-clear. I buy the bags a bit larger than standard sizes so I will have room for the painting and a piece of foamcore board cut to the size of the painting. Here is a video of my process:kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zox4lrWeqqnfcso.html&t=209s

True but - if you remove the sizing then aren't you removing the thing that separates the paint (pastel) layers from the paper - and might that not have bad effects in the future. Also, if you blend with the airbrush medium, what's the need for doing this?

Hullo Susan! Wonderful technique I have used this before but be careful NOT to sand to much, I have gone through the paper before as well as got the paper to thin and poked through the watercolor paper with my pastel stick. It was good to see you at Alain Picard's demo. I would love to sign up for his classes, but it is not in the cards for me as yet. Will you be taking his course? He is such a good instructor and his loose techniques are truly a marvel!

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for that info my friend. I’ll try to be careful not to sand too much! I’m not taking Alain’s course but I know it will be worthwhile for those who do. I have so much on my plate right now, but I really would like to be a student more often myself.

Does layering warm oger cool or vice versa cause mud in this process?

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Not necessarily, but perhaps if you have layered a lot already. Layering complementary colors (such as green and red) will give a result of a more neutral color however.

Hi, just watched again your demo using watercolour paper and removing the sizing. Before you also suggested using clear gesso on water colour paper to get the surface for pastels. When do you use that?

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

I actually use both techniques. I like them both, but I think the one where you remove the sizing from the watercolor paper produces softer results.

Is sanding also require on a hot pressed watercolor paper?

What brand you used and is they oil based or charlk based Many thanks Gordon

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

The pastels I use are soft pastels, not oil pastels. :)

Can you also add workable fixative after laying down several layers for a few more layers on top of the fixative if need be? I've been adding a little alcohol to set the piece that I'm working on and it gives me a few more layers if I need it- seems to be working

@monetcafe

7 ай бұрын

Hi @Nazareth434, I never spray a fixative on a soft pastel painting since it always darkens the final image. Except win the case you're referring to. I use fixative to be able to achieve more layers. To protect my final painting for shipping or storing, I place them in a clear plastic bag I get from www.clearbags.com/bags/flat/flap-tape/crystal-clear. I buy the bags a bit larger than standard sizes so I will have room for the painting and a piece of foamcore board cut to the size of the painting. Here is a video of my process:kzread.info/dash/bejne/Zox4lrWeqqnfcso.html&t=209s Hope this helps, sweetheart! Happy painting!!

@Nazareth434

7 ай бұрын

@monetcafe thanks so much for the reply. Great timing as I'll have to send a painting soon, so I will defi ately check that vid3o you mentioned out as i wasnt sure how i was going to send it.

Well this is awesome! Can you still do an underpainting if you remove the sizing first?

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

That's something I still have to try Crystal, but I heard some other artists say that it changes the surface and the pastels don't apply the same. I have to give it a try though.

@susiesue9901

Жыл бұрын

Hi Susan I wonder if you could give us a more detailed look at how to sand the watercolor paper I've tried it with the 80 grit but it doesn't seem that I did well enough for it to make much difference so I must be doing it wrong I was wondering if you could give us any more details on it as I did try to look it up online and it's nowhere to be found I'm really excited about the opportunity of using this since pastel papers so expensive and I certainly do hope that you have some more insights that you can give to us novice who love your work and love pastels you are truly and imspiration and look forward to learning more and growing thank you ever so much

@cemi423

Жыл бұрын

@@susiesue9901 I have studied with Bruce Gomez for several years. The paper must be sanded VERY vigorously in every direction. I use a hand-held sanding block that allows me to really bear down as I sand. You will know you’ve sanded enough when the paper feels like suede. You will have a pile of “paper dust” (like the dust when you sand wood) that must be thoroughly brushed off before you begin painting. You can’t do a wet underpainting, but you can tone the paper by laying down light layers of pastel and blending. This is a very different surface to paint on, so it takes some getting used to. A light touch works best.

@susiesue9901

Жыл бұрын

@@cemi423 thank you so much I will definitely work on this it makes perfect sense I really appreciate you giving me this important information very much so

I have a question. I wanted to try applying underpainting on my artwork to make them more neutral and not too vibrant, but i dont have clear gesso. If I do the sandpaper technique, applied my underpainting, then spread it using water and brush, would that still be ok?

@monetcafe

2 ай бұрын

🙂 🙂 🙂 ❤, @onik5001 HI! Yes, that should work!

Which pastels to use with alcohol please?

Interesting, as watercolor person I would have thought you would have to soak the arches paper to remove sizing. Thanks.

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! I was amazed that this method worked so well.

Could you also soak the paper in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes and then remove the sizing with a sponge? Thanks in advance

@monetcafe

Ай бұрын

Neat idea…I’ll have to try 👍🏻

Couldn’t we also use the terrages to roughen up the paper? Isn’t this why she created it for that artist who does lots of layers?

🥰

hey, can i use water on the paper after i sanded it?

How long time it takes to dry the gesso untill you can start painting with pastels?

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Usually about 10 minutes or so if you don't coat too thickly. I also often use a blow dryer to speed things up.

Will this method work with chalk pastel pencils? Such a useful hack Regardless

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

I’m not quite sure but it sure seems like they would work. I would give it a try on a small sample piece first. Have fun!

Hi Susan. I tried this technique using 140 lb watercolor paper coated x2 with clear gesso but my problem was the watercolor paper warped up on me. I was wondering how you didn't have that problem?

@monetcafe

9 ай бұрын

Hi Renee, the same thing happens to me often when I first apply the Clear Gesso. I have a technique where I flip the surface over and brush some water on the backside. Often it pretty much corrects the warping. I also find that once the painting is done, if you can put some tracing paper on top of it and put it between some heavy books, it will flatten out quite nicely.

@reneekroyer5104

9 ай бұрын

Hey Susan. Just to clarify -- if the paper curls/warps, turn it over and apply some water on the backside? I find it so hard to paint on paper that does not lay flat. I've tried it many times, but it is just not a happy place for me. lol Thank you for your tips. @@monetcafe

are you using oil pastels or soft pastels?

Hi Susan. Me, again. lol I watched this video again, at the section talking about the sizing, and how we can remove that with the sand paper . . . but now I'm wondering . . . wouldn't this now be simple unsanded paper, comparable to Canson paper? It just seems like a lot of work to sand off the gelatin to get a smooth surface. I see, too, that he said he toned the paper too, after sanding it. (I found a short KZread video of his. I'll share it with you: kzread.info/dash/bejne/kaaMldGkntPSXbg.htmlsi=oX_rDAtl-LBkskn5

@monetcafe

8 ай бұрын

Oh wow! How sweet of you, @reneekroyer5104! I appreciate your tip so much! God bless you.

@jimkroyer5280

7 ай бұрын

And you too!@@monetcafe

You're going to need a bigger studio. 👍

@monetcafe

Жыл бұрын

Ha ha!!! You’re exactly right brother! My husband and I are working on that.