I'm nearing completion on the Pacific arch - I think. Getting a good photograph of it is another thing. This image isn't quite there, but heading in the right direction. I'll keep playing with camera settings and my graphics program in the hopes that I can turn out the right image.I've done a little shopping online to find some decent (I hope) pastel paper and some more pastels to build my collection. I haven't used pastels for quite some time, but I've found that I quite enjoy the process again and working on a larger scale. I was becoming confined to the space of a smaller sketchbook or Moleskine and hadn't broken out of that mold for awhile. It feels good to stretch again.
In my quest for paper and trying to avoid duty payments and large shipping costs, I browsed a few stores in Canada and came across some unique paper made in Montreal on the shores of the Lachine canal - Le Papeterie Saint-Armand. The Saint-Armand paper mill was established by David Carruthers in 1979. They manufacture the Saint-Armand handmade papers, the machine-made Canal papers, and the sanded paper Sabretooth for artists. It is the Sabretooth paper that I bought in sheets of 22 x 30 and an assortment of Canal paper also. Canal paper is machine-made paper from pulped T-shirt cuttings, linen, flax straw, blue denim, sisal and coffee bags. The Saint-Armand handmade papers are made one sheet at a time following traditional methods They have 4 deckled edges. There is no grain direction.
I ordered some new pastels and bought some locally too - Nupastels - as I couldn't wait. When I get something in my head, I want immediate gratification. The full set of pastels that I ordered will turn up in a week or two along with the paper. I have to temper my purchases - good sets of pastels are pricy and I'm going with a middle of the road price and adding as and when I can with other brands and types.
There have been a few alterations in my studio space. A new floor and rearrangement of the space with a computer in that room now and the printer. Also, the cupboard has been refitted with broad shelves to hold my large sheets of paper and drawings flat, so no more covering every available flat table with huge sheets of paper. Yeah, yeah, the guardian bears had to go somewhere ok? They're not doing any harm... All I need to add is some decent lighting and I'll be all set.
5 comments:
Great drafting table! I prefer a flat or tilted woking surface too.
You'll love working with pastels. Dianna Ponting is giving a workshop in the Drawing & Sketching forum at WC! starting Monday, March 5th. Hope to see you there!
The table was my bargain of the year - a professional drafting table for $50 from a firm that was shutting down.
I'll be there on Monday for sure!
Nice to see where you work.
Jeanette, your Pacific arch is beautiful! I know you are going to do fabulous work with those new pastels. And I can't wait to see it.
Thanks too for sharing pictures of your workspace. I love seeing other artists studios. It helps me imagine them actually creating their art. It also typically gives ideas for new things I "need" in my studio space. I might borrow your idea and post some studio pics in my own blog. If I do, I'll make sure to link to you and give you credit. :)
There's always something interesting about looking into other artists' work spaces isn't there? Mine is rather tidy at the moment after an early spring clean.
Stacy it would be great to see your space too. I agree, I can imagine others created once I've seen their workspace. Do take the idea by all means, I need no credit for it.
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