Answering your questions about painting with Oil Pastel

Taking a break from my painting to answer some really great questions I received from a fellow artist about oil pastel. If you are a subscriber, you may already be familiar with these two slideshows... but since there is no audio, it may be hard to tell what products I use and why. So thank you Diane Fairfield for your great questions! I post my answers for all to see!

Oil Pastel Painting Demo

For Slideshow Click Here.

1. What is the support you use? My first choice is Ampersand Hardboard, or equivalent. It is smooth and archival and makes it "EASY" to frame. Wood doesn't buckle :). My second choice is bristol board 3ply or thicker. Easier to custom make your own size, but harder to wrestle with the framing process.
2. What is the large can of some kind of reddish paint you use as a ground? Daniel Smith Acrylic Gesso Venetian Red. And to answer your next question, I mix the pumice powder into the gesso to create a tooth for the pastel to grab. It's fantastic! The surface is like fine grit sand paper. You have to play with the mixture, I am not very precise with measuring it out or anything.
3. What do you do with the pumice powder? See above.
4. I like the impasto texture you create. What do you do about getting it to dry? You are right. Oil pastels never dry. I use Sennelier brand oil pastels. Rich and buttery. They are wax based and very very heavily pigmented. With all that said, pastels DO dry to a certain extent. After about 2-3 days Sennelier's become more rigid on the surface... they kind of "set" so to speak. All that wet buttery feel becomes a bit less and the surface turns into more of a beeswax consistency.
5. It is my understanding that oil pastels never do really dry and therefore need to be framed under glass. Is that your experience? Yes. It is imperative that oil pastels remain protected. Some artists like to spray varnish their finished pieces. Sennelier makes an aerosol spray that is pretty good. BUT I just don't like the results myself. So I frame under glass. Has a contemporary feel for my work anyway... I have a couple really great solutions for framing and matting oil pastels. Because I favor a wood substrate, I made a slideshow about that process too. It shows how you can "nestle" your finished piece in a hole you cut out of foam core, then mat the whole thing and viola! You can watch it by clicking the link below this next picture...

How to Frame an Oil Pastel Painting

Click Here for Slideshow.

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Firehouse Coffee Shop in Ballard... visit my show!

This week I set up my show at the Firehouse Coffee shop in Ballard (Seattle, WA). My work will be up through January 31st and will be rotating - as they sell, I will replace with new work to keep it fresh since it is there for two months. I have a little selection at the Firehouse Coffee Shop, of my pocket sized landscapes all framed up and ready for the giving this holiday season! They should fit in any standard size Christmas stocking too... Please come down and take a look at my work on display! 

"Stand Up to You"

2x4" (approx. 9x11 with frame)

Oil on Canvas, Pocket Landscape embellished with cracked surface

BUY IT NOW at Etsy.com

Whimsical in form, yet making a statement. This piece was inspired by a trip I took over and through the cascades to Eastern Washington. Trees often take on human qualities, or I should say I have a tendency to bring the inanimate to life... they stand there, often in ways that remind me of myself.

In this case, there was a section of the mountains that had been sadly cleared of trees. Only stumps and debris remained. This tree stood on the edge over looking this vast area of destruction and seemed as if it wasn't phased by it. It stood there with a posture that said, " HA! Your not gonna bring me down!" as if it were standing up to the force that knocked down all his tree friends... it wasn't a scaredy tree anyway...

"Pretending"

6x12" Oil on Panel unframed

SOLD

When I was little, my friend and I would tromp through the neighborhood forest preserve... we had very active imaginations. Often we would pretend that we were lost in the woods and no one would ever find us. We were only 8, but we would use our special "Macgyver" skills to make forts out of twigs and wood and survive on eating the local neighborhood black berries until dark, only to run home to mom's home cooked meals! ... ahh memories.

How to Hang Your Artwork (Unconventionally)

Jennifer Phillips opening night at Dry Soda, Seattle, WA

This month has been a whirl wind art showing extravaganza! Three or more shows in one month is an awesome feat - and I have learned a few new things that I wanted to share...

With every new place I show my work brings on a new set of challenges. Each venue is so different that I have now learned a couple key things to remember when I venture out to hang in local cafes, businesses, and retail establishments.

For example, know what the venue prefers in terms of how you physically hang your art. Prepare AHEAD of time and talk with someone in charge to find out more information like: Is is actually OK to hammer into their wall? Is there a hanging system already there for you to use? If so, what other materials will you need to successfully hang your work? Is there a ladder and am I comfortable climbing it?

Dry Soda Co. was a great learning experience for me. They have an amazing space that really shows off the artwork great. Some of their main walls are made out of nicely finished birch wood. So naturally, they did not want to have a bunch of nail holes all over them. Being that they left the hanging up to the artist's, I had to get creative.

I had one advantage. The walls didn't go all the way up to the ceiling, so I had an edge to work with... After climbing a very tall ladder and checking out the top of the wall, I decided I needed to make a trip to Home Depot for some help. While I should have prepared for this in advance, I was lucky because HD was just down the street. So one hour and $100 later, I had a solution (see below).

Bathroom door towel hooks. Yes folks, towel hooks. They were nice and wide to hang over the wall edge, a nice silver finish to match the decor, and very strong and sturdy to hold my heavier oil pastels that were framed under glass. 

I also bought "swivel eye snap hooks" (pictured above) that clipped over the hook and attached picture wire through the loop end and then to my picture. I have found these very useful for a couple of shows I have done this year. So I keep them on hand.

The other thing I have learned from doing these venues, is to always always always bring my artist tool box and everything in it. My artist tool box consists of things like: tape, hammer, nails, glue, black touch up marker, compressed air, glass cleaner, picture wire, wire cutters, scissors, screw driver, drill, anything picture hanging related, anything touch up related, and picture hanging hardware. It is always those times when walking out the door saying "ooooh I won't need that this time", and then I do, and I am cursing myself. 

My husband and brother came to support me on my opening night. But the weather was sooo awful, that most others stayed away... sniff sniff, oh well. 

And then there was hope! A few people came in to taste some soda and take in the art, so I captured the moment...

My spread of impulse buys, matted prints, mini paintings and lil stuff! The show is up until the end of the month, if you are local, please pay a visit and taste their soda! It's really good!

Queen Anne Artwalk

I'm back! Sheesh, finally! The following post is sorta out of order... sorry, I had a hard time loading pictures in the order I wanted. That is what happens when one such artist gets a little rusty on her blogging skills! So I will catch you up... this is my show at Peet's Coffee in Seattle.

I used all the space I could at Peet's. Yes, folks. Don't be shy. Even hang your work by the bathroom. There IS a lot of foot traffic that direction you know... don't leave out the tinklers!

Mini's Mini's and more Mini's! I am happy to announce that I was approached by a new venue in California who wants to carry my small work in their gallery! So exciting as I have been on the search for someone to stock these little guys for the holidays! They make such great gifties! I have more to explore with this one, I will keep you posted. 

Front entryway had great lighting, so I hung some of the pieces I had used in my email blast there. Very identifiable from the street...

I used one of their tables to display my prints, business cards, bio, and guestbook... oh and don't forget the candy bowl, so you can stuff your face while talking art.

Hung one of my more "durable" surfaced paintings by the condiment counter... just in case there were little splashies.

Note: When doing a show at places where people sit around your artwork, be sure to hang your items high enough so they won't get bumped if someone stretches, or swings a backpack, or has a grabbie child with sticky fingers! One of my last shows I found some sort of splashed goo across 2 paintings! What the?! One of the many risks you take at venues where there are consumables. 

Well, I am still working outta boxes from the move, but managed to also put together my October show at Peet's coffee & Tea in Seattle. Tonight was Queen Anne neighborhood's Art Walk so I hung out for a few hours to mingle with the public. 

It is always so rewarding to talk to people about your art. I really realize that this is the part of the "job" that I thoroughly enjoy. Seeing how people respond to my work is so rewarding! Each person has their own individual experience... as I have always said, "My most favorite moment is when I put the brush down and show someone a painting. It is no longer my experience, but theirs."

Today I made a point of inviting my neighbors, new and old, by walking door to door and hand delivering invites, spent time sending email blasts, and shopping for Halloween candy to have at my display table tonight. (that of which, I ate half of. Sheesh.) 

I just really enjoy getting out and talking to people. It is so inspiring and adds fuel to my creative fire! So as you can probably tell already, I was very socially fulfilled tonight!

The pictures I managed to shoot are, as usual, after the show was ending. I just get to wrapped up to remember to shoot live in the moment. I need an assistant! 

Four events/shows coming up in November that I must paint a few more for... So excited to be a part of the Howard/Mandville small works show and the well known 1st Thursday Pioneer Square Art Walk this time around! I should have more in progress photos soon! Stay tuned!

Reception at Neptune Coffee

Well my show opening/reception was well received and a lot of fun! Thank you to all that attended that evening! I managed to fill up the whole space with all of my larger works... oil paintings in the front and oil pastels in the back. I almost forgot to take a few photos so these are from the end of the evening with me behind the camera.

I indulged in a couple glasses of wine and lots of pound cake. I always have a hard time staying away from the food table at events like these... especially when they are my own!

I look forward to seeing everyone this Tuesday for the unveiling of my miniatures at Makeda Coffee ... mmmmm, more pound cake.

How to Frame an Oil Pastel

Watch the Demonstration... CLICK HERE!

I have spent the last  few days framing the rest of my oil pastels for my show Monday at The Neptune in Seattle... I managed to capture the process I go through on camera for your viewing pleasure! The unique way I frames these is due to the fact that the paintings are done on Ampersand Hardbord - they can't be framed like regular works on paper... I always make it more difficult for myself! But they turn out wonderful in the end.

Visit my website for a selection of slideshows on techniques for framing, painting, and more!

(or click the link at the top to go right to the demo for how to frame and Oil Pastel painting)

Disaster Averted

Composed

12x12 

Oil pastel on hardboard

$309

No that is not doggie doo doo on Dozer's toe nail. It's my painting. Number 37 Sennelier Oil Pastel to be exact. 

Had my painting on the floor to get an arial view, and my little buddy came down stairs to pay me a visit... I looked up an noticed him trying to wiggle between all my other paintings strewn across the floor to get to me. Instant panic set in and I boasted a command that I use quite often. It works fairly well on dogs. Especially if you want them to panic like you are panicking.

I yelled something like, "DOZER!" and he jumped wondering what just hit him. Then I squealed like a little girl, something really fast like, " OUT! Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!", with my hands flailing all over the place... You know in cartoons when the character is trying to run really fast to get away and their legs are a circular blur? Well that was poor Dozer. He couldn't move fast enough, as the slippery basement floor didn't help with traction at all. So during his scramble, he managed to take out one of my paintings, scooping up some grassy field and soft blue sky under his long sharp toe nails. Ahhhh, fantastic.

Wouldn't have happened if I hadn't raised my voice. If I would have said the same words in whisper mode, it would have been just fine. So I picked up my injured painting and with MY tail between my legs and a few profanities, I went back up into my studio and repainted over the damage. 'Cause four big nail scratches across my painting didn't really fit into the composition.

So everything worked out in the end. Painting fixed, Dozer and I licked and made up, and I learned from my experience. Guess it pays not to loose your composure. Ironically, this piece was titled "Composed", so it is very fitting.

Table for One Please

 Soft Light

4"x4"

Oil Pastel on hardboard

$75

So tonight I sat down at my table for a wonderful dining experience. On the menu was a feast for the eyes, including a massive spread of big buttery oil pastel sticks for me to munch on... my favorite. I grabbed them by the handfulls and inhaled their beautiful aroma. I almost began to chew on color number eleven, but managed to snap out of it just in time! Instead I put them to better use and produced a few more paintings. 

I am so in love with the texture they produce... the past couple days of painting have been rough ones for me. Was having trouble painting in general. It actually felt so forced. Instead of giving up though, I pushed through it. Now I have a few new oil pastels unlike any others I have done before... so I guess I had a break through.

The Arrival of Jen TV

Titled: "Highway 26 Black & White" 12x12 

Oil Pastel on tinted Ampersand Hardbord

$309 

SWEEEEET! I'm on tv! 

What a cool tool... not me silly, the slideshow playing above... 

Anyway, last night I documented my full painting session in order to post to my bloggie today. It took a little while, as it was unfamiliar territory uploading all the pics, but I now have a tool that I can post videos and slideshows of my work and techniques to share with all of you! Eventually if you click in the upper right side of the window above on "Shows", you will be able to view whatever is playing on Jen TV at the time! Kinda like flipping through channels on a regular tv at home... it even has sound, just click on the musical note! I'm a genius (not really).

I will be working on a series of new oil pastel paintings over the next week for a show I am having at Neptune Coffee on Greenwood this Sept. 6th from 6pm-10pm. So, yes, Bert (my brush-incase you are new) and I will be taking a little break for a week. Probably good, as he is still recovering from his eye injury. 

My newest friends are a box of Sennelier Oil Pastels. They don't have eyes, so there is less chance of injury with these guys... I chose to do a black and white version this time, in order to play off the idea I typed about in my "Wipe Out" post a couple days ago... eliminate color and focus on playing with value and composition. Plus, I just really like doing pieces that have high contrasting values - creates a glow and a little drama. There are techinquie things going on in this painting that I intend to provide at a later date explaining my step by step process, including a final posting about how I frame these puppies...

So, why was last nights image upside down? No, I haven't lost my mind. In fact you may already do this yourself. I often will turn my paintings upside down in order to get a fresh view of them from a different angle. It helps me to identify issues I may be having with composition, value, or color. Once inverted, problem areas (usually) stick out like a sore thumb. I often continue to work on the piece while it is upside down. This way I can turn off my brain and stop it from recognizing what I am working on. I can then focus more clearly on compositional elements.

I can also get a fresh view of my painting by looking in a mirror. I have a HUGE mirror behind me in my studio. My husband thinks I am vain. Ok, maybe a little, but seriously - it is so nice to be able to quickly turn around and instantly I have a different view point of my painting... or my hair, or my new shirt... 

Another thing I do is look at my painting from a distance, either during the process or after I have put the brush down. I have this habit of leaving my painting out in the open for it to "catch my eye" when I least expect it. I will leave it sitting in the corner of the living room over night sometimes. In the morning I wake up, climb out of bed, pop my contacts in, and jump out of the hallway into the living room like I was at a surprise party! OR I will walk through the hall and peak around the corner at it as if I was to sneak up on it. My eyes instantly fall on my painting and I can then determine what areas are problematic. I will leave it out for several days until I finally decide if it is finished or not. Yeah, I'm crazy (not really).

Geesh, my blog posts are getting wordy. Sometimes I just like to type till my fingers swell. Thanks for leaving your comments... please don't "dine and dash", let me know your thoughts...

A final note before I pull another painting out of the night... Thank you to Nina in Stockholm! Nina Aidas mentioned me on her blog today - seems I inspired her all the way over in Sweden! (my tail is wagging!) -check out her blog

Inverted

Why am I painting upside down you ask?

... Did I trade Bert in for a crayon?

... is Bert wearing a Halloween costume?

... Have I lost my mind???

All the answers to these questions and more... to follow ... after I sleep off my sore back from slouching for 4 hours while I painted this evening! I barewee tieward.