Donkeys, Day 3

[wayfaringwordhack]

One of these days, I will learn to draw with pastels. It will not be during my donkey challenge, however. Back in 1998 (yes, I remember the date), I bought a set of chalk pastels without ever having tried my hand at them. Most of the pastel sticks are now broken but barely used. It is just not a medium I really enjoy. I don't even know if I could learn to like it. Maybe one of these days, I won't learn!

Nevertheless, I listened to some strange urge to dust them off and try them again for today's donkey.  I seriously almost threw my effort in the trash,* but this exercise is not about posting pretty (or even successful attempts at) art. It is about trying different things, seeing which ones fit...

So, goal accomplished.

"Donkey in the Woods," chalk pastels and charcoal

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* Even doing pages and pages of collage** sounds more fun than doing pages and pages of pastels. See? I'm learning. And gaining perspective.

** Actually, it isn't the thought of doing one book of collage illustrations that bothers me; it is the thought that if I do decide to do more stories in this world, I would have to continue with a consistent look and feel. Doing books and books of collages...meh.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

So glad you didn't throw it away! I'm loving seeing donkeys in all these different media. This one I love for the autumnal quality--the way the leaves blanket the ground: it is just like a late-autumn woods.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I'm mostly concerned with finding a medium and style that suits, but today I thought it might be a good idea if I start experimenting a bit more with the setting, season, and atmosphere, too. The donkey can't exist on a blank page. :P

[nebula99.livejournal.com]

I'm really enjoying the donkeys and the colours in this are great.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :D

[frigg.livejournal.com]

You are so productive! :)

(with patels, the paper can make all the difference)

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

So freaky! I *knew* you would say that about the paper. And I thought of it myself...after I was extremely frustrated with the whole thing. I meant to look at the type of paper (I know it was Canson but not more than that) but then forgot. Too lazy (and tired) to do it now. :P

[frigg.livejournal.com]

heh... you know me too well. :p

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I do! :P And FWIW, the paper said it was suitable for charcoal and pastels. :-

[mindseas.livejournal.com]

This donkey looks wistful. I think he is lonely without anyone to share his pasture.

Have you considered doing each illustration for the book in a different medium? That could be really cool.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

That could be cool. Tricky, too, though, i would think, making sure there is coherency despite the wildly different media.

[queenoftheskies.livejournal.com]

I love it! Great details and I love the contrast of colors between the bare trees and the colored leaves on the ground.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I decided to draw him in a forest because I had a really cool reference photo, all misty moody with those cool bare trees that just seemed to disappear into the atmosphere. I may try the forest again some day but not with pastels. :P

[judo100.livejournal.com]

Pastels can be a challenge, for sure. If you like the idea of drawing with colored sticks, you might try oil pastels. I have a set and they perform like amazing crayons -- much more fluid than the waxy ones we give children, deep colors, and such. I like them better than chalk pastels.

I like the expectant look on the donkey's face. He's there waiting for something, but we don't know what.

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

I have some oil pastels and am hesitating to try them, too. :p I'm a glutton for punishment, so I just might. I'll try to make sure I'm using appropriate paper, too. :P