Pastel artist Debora Stewart shares her best prep tips.
On drawing: “Drawing is a basic foundation and many ideas spring from the act of drawing. I find it is a direct expression of what I see expressed on paper. It also slows me down and is a meditative experience. If I want to create an abstract floral or garden it is important for me to draw it first instead of relying on a photo. A photo has no real energy in it. I find drawing brings life to a subject. Drawing also helps to simplify a subject. Drawing also helps you find your natural mark, which is so important in pastel and paint.”
On color: “I lay my colors out in order of value. I choose light, medium and dark pastels in complementary colors. Then I choose the neutrals. This prevents me from picking up too many different pastels for a work.”
