Archive Mode. Call 2022 DAKOTA PASTEL COMPETITION - SECOND QUARTER ended on 6/15/22, 11:59 PM. Call settings are read only. See Current Open Calls
Self portrait in soft pastels. An explosion of texture and colour with a rather grumpy middle aged woman in the middle of it!
I was in the hairdressers getting slightly bored whilst my highlights were cooking and started looking round for art inspiration. The light sparkling off the foils and plastic cape looked rather interesting so I took some sneaky selfies. Not the best shots but I had fun doing the painting.
I'm a retired family doctor who started painting as a hobby 4 years ago. I fell in love with portraiture and did a year long alla prima oil portrait course. I volunteer in a non-profit art gallery that supports local artists and do a few oil commissions through an agent who approached me last year. I started experimenting with pastels 18 months ago when I received a box of Sennelier portrait pastels for Christmas. I've become addicted to collecting portrait pastel sets trying to find that elusive perfect slightly neutralized violet shade that I love for shadows. Not found it yet! I lost my sister and father in the last 6 months and haven't been able to create any art but in the last few weeks I've been pushing myself to paint and rediscover moments of joy.
