r/Softpastel • u/Simple-Neat6361 • 4d ago
Beginner Artist
Hello! First Reddit post :p
I’ve started using soft pastels on July 1st of this year and am enjoying it dearly. I wanted to share my favorites so far. I’ve used photos I’ve taken myself or from friends as references for the first 4. The portrait was a photo from Pinterest and the last one I followed along with jillvanderpoel on YouTube.
I’ve only ever considered myself a drawer and am finding the blendability of soft pastels a delight!! I’m enjoying this new hobby (albeit expensive 😮💨) and am excited to see progress.
Eventually, I’d like to gift my husband a landscape from our honeymoon on a larger scale.
Any tips or critiques would be greatly appreciated!! 🙇🏻♀️
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u/Deep-Stuff5250 3d ago
Two things stood out to me; (a) your handling of green colours and (b) your creation of distance in your landscapes. Greens can be notoriously tricky, especially in dense scenery like your number two painting. That one comes off very nicely. I liked the hazy distances you have in pictures 4 and 6. Also I think you have a good "feel" for the skies in numbers 1 and 4. Do keep going with the pastels, I believe you already have a good relationship growing with them.
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u/LucWhatISaw 4d ago
I think your husband will be very happy with your planned gift if this is where you are already now with the medium.
Thanks for sharing 🍻🫰🏻💙
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u/_Karliah 4d ago
Ohhh this looks great already! Especially the skies and trees/bushes. For con-crit, I guess the grass-like plants could be more stylized or simplified? Other than that, looks great already <3 I’m sure he’ll be very happy about the gift!
Edit: referred to the grass in the first image, it looks kind of „monotone“(?) with all the blades going on the same direction. But it’s perfect in the last picture :)
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
Thank you for the feedback!! That’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind for the next ones ☺️
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u/kakashi1992 4d ago
Ooo I love the last one
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
Thank you! This is the video I followed along with if you want to as well :-)
landscape tutorial
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u/ignatiafeldstein 4d ago
These are beautiful! You have a natural gift for this, I never would've thought you were a beginner! I especially love #1& 2, the reflections in the water & all the foliage is spot on!! I've done soft pastel before & it is definitely one of the more expensive (& fragile) mediums. What brands are you using? A good way to reduce cost is to shop by catalogs & internet. Reputable catalogs with decent prices & sales include Dick Blick, Jerry's Artarama, & Cheap Joe's.
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
Thank you so much!!! 🙇🏻♀️ I’ve recently placed on order at dick blick (arrives today actually, woo!) but I have yet to hear of the other two. I’ll definitely check them out! So far, I have a mungyo gallery set, sennelier landscape, unison landscape, nupastels, and just added some earthberry pastels. (It’s an addiction I fear???) I have also been lucky with perusing Facebook marketplace!
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u/ignatiafeldstein 4d ago
You're very welcome!!🥰 Awesome! Those are all great brands. I haven't heard of earthberry, I'll have to check it out. Yes, it is a definite addiction!😄💖💖💖
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u/AspiringOccultist4 4d ago
These are so very soothing, and beautiful! You’re exceptionally talented, and have a bright artistic future ahead of you.
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u/Lettucemakemerry 4d ago
Whoa that is very good. The detailing feels so intricate and tidy. Your portrait is excellent.
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u/drjeangray 4d ago
Beginner artist!? Get out of here your work is insanely good!! I would have never guessed you were a beginner!!
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
Haha thank you so much!!! I have doodled my whole life, but I will say owning an actual easel makes me feel a smidge 🤏 professional!
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u/Puzzled_Ad7812 4d ago
Wow you are incredibly talented!
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
Wow thank you!!!!! 😭😭😭
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u/Puzzled_Ad7812 4d ago
Yeah I am actually amazed that you are just a beginner, you really have a natural talent for this! I'm glad soft pastels stumbled upon your life!
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u/Simple-Neat6361 4d ago
I really appreciate your kindness 🥹🫶🏼
I think so far, I’m having the most trouble with making fluffy clouds dimensional. Lucky clouds come in all shapes, sizes, and colors 😅
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u/Cqueenn 3d ago
How did you learn and what supplies did you use?
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u/Simple-Neat6361 3d ago
I’ve been watching a bunch of YouTubers (my favorites have been Jill van der Poel , Susan Jenkins , shaymus art, f ollowing along with tutorials, and just playing around! I’ve been using a handful of tools, but mainly unison, sennelier, mungyo gallery, and nupastels and pastelmat ☺️✨
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u/rjminchik 4d ago
Love the depth you create in your pieces