This work was created using mostly wet pastel on canvas and I showed it and discussed it on the PSA Zoom “Using Pastel on Canvas” last month.

1. Gesso was placed over an old work, and when dry, collages with fabric and white tissue papers.

2. Soft pastel was applied.

3. The pastel layers were wet with water and a brush and allowed to dry.

4. A detail showing how the pastel is drying with sections of pigment clumping in interesting shapes.

5. Another detail showing how the wet pastel is settling into the texture.

6. I placed another layer of dry soft pastel and wet it with water and a brush.

7. A detail showing the subtle layers of colour.

8. Another detail showing how the second layer of pastel dries as a glaze over the first layer of colour.

9. Detail showing how the subsequent wet pastel layer is drying over the sprayed varnish surface.

10. The next wet pastel layer.

11. Adding Art Spectrum Extra Soft Square pastels in yellow, blues and turquoise.

12. Close up detail showing the pastel dry brushed over the texture.

13. Detail photo showing this same area after spraying with varnish.

14. Close up showing the rich depth achieved through sequential pastel and varnish layers.

15. Not a good photo, and I am not sure if I am happy to say this is completed, but as it is now the signed piece. “NZ Scape” 61 w by 31 h cms (24 h by 12 w inches). I’ll keep contemplating it. My students will not be surprised to hear that I think it needs a bird somewhere.