CHARCOAL & PASTELS

 C H A R C O A L  &  P A S T E L S  by  Nancy Diodati

The first thing I learned in my first drawing class was to draw with charcoals.  At first hated it, because charcoal is dirty, messy and it smears everywhere and makes a big mess on the paper.  Once you spend something making friends it's not so bad.  Just don't wear white.  This was my first or second graded assignment.  I love studying  other cultures and many times it comes out in my artwork.



Native American in Charcoal

Once we became familiar with charcoal it was time to move on to pastels.  Pastels are charcoal as well but it they are colored so it is called pastel not chalk.  I liked working with pastels on colored paper for an added dimension.  This image was done on black paper.  Once the image is completed I sealed the image by spraying a little hair spray to keep it from smearing.


Asian Girl Pastel on Black Cardstock

 The following image was done in pastel drawn on green cardstock

King Ferdinand on Green Cardstock

Finally, this image was done on plain white paper.


Native American Warrior in Pastel



  I have learned a new appreciation for charcoal and pastels.  Working in thise medium is not as easy as they look.  It is one form of art that I will continue to practice.  Often I go on location and take a board and a little charcoal with me.  I get the basics of the landscape down and then take it home and spend of time bringing in the details at my leisure.