I decided to use a black paper base for my pastel drawing. This is perhaps unconventional, but I find a slightly different approach exciting. The black will represent as my trees, which in turn means that instead of adding the darks, I add the lights and apply the negative spaces. This takes quite a bit of concentration so I keep the shapes very simple I begin using pale blue for the tiny sky sections between the tree trunks. Very quickly a fabulous pattern emerges and becomes fascinating. Negative drawing is a very different approach and becomes quite compelling, almost like solving a puzzle. Once the tree trunks and background remain, I can then add the darker tones to the distant trees and a brighter green to the field section, avoiding the gate. At this stage the trees just look like big black spaces, but the shapes are really attractive. It is at this point that I add the dark tones onto the main trees. It is important not to use too light a pastel or the whole dramatic contrast will be lost.Tips on using dark coloured papers· Let the paper work for you and avoid choosing a dramatic colour and then covering it all up with pastel. Think carefully about where the paper can remain untouched. · Choose a similar colour to that within your subject to create mood, unless using black. · If you choose to use a dark paper you will inevitably need to think about the negative spaces. · Check the surface texture of the paper as most have a rough side and a smoother side. Using alternative colours.This can be a most exciting approach to pastel drawing. Rather than just putting any colour where I feel like it, I use the colour wheel and move the colour logically around the wheel. This results in some fascinating drawings and paintings for me. The trick is, always to keep the tonal values accurate, but change the colour totally.Have a go! Its fun.If you are interested in this kind of thing there is a whole section in my book 30 minute Watercolours on using and enhancing colour.
