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Most everyone is familiar with the Kenny Rogers song about playing poker..."You've got to know when to fold, know when to hold 'em..."

Well, in pastel painting, it is good to know just when to apply heavy, hard, strokes, and when to go soft and delicate.

There are painters that employ the same pressure throughout their work, and it does seem to be a trend to just pile it on all at once. Conversely, there are painters who are timid in the work, and have very little pastel at all, resulting in a washed out look.

Don't get me wrong, there are also very skilled painters that use either approach to produce beautifully accomplished work.

However, I maintain that there are beautiful nuances that can be attained by using a variety of touches.

"Sky Pierced" is a large Sedona landscape I did a few years ago.

I used a variety of strokes, but also varied how lightly or heavily the pastel was applied.

There are heavy layers in the sunlit areas of rock, and in the foreground textured vegetation. Where it climbs up the cliff, there are light strokes, as it is farther away.

The light touches are in the shadows, and I paid particular attention to the areas between the sun and shaded areas; using light feathery strokes for the transition.

There are also delicate strokes for the foreground grasses, as the focus is really on the upper rock region,where the striking rock meets the sky. This may seem contrary to many landscapes; however the Arizona skies have such a presence, that I often do use heavy application in the sky region. 

Here is another example of light versus heavy strokes. There are light strokes at the tree edges, in the grasses, and in the left area of rock, as it is further away from the viewer than the right area .

Here is a close-up of the main tree trunk, where I applied heavy impasto strokes for emphasis.  I pressed really hard, and think I even broke a stick in doing so!

Try varying the pressure in your pastel painting...you may be surprised and pleased with the results.

...and remember how the song goes; you've got to know when and where!

I will be going in to this very important concept in depth, and much more  , in my pastel workshop at the Sedona Arts Center, April 30 to May 4.

Please visit www.sedonaartscenter.org for more information, or to register online....and you'll want to sign up soon!