Help drawing fine lines pastel portraits

sidney73

Hi all! Just joined. I've just gotten into pastel portraits in the last few years (probably should have asked this question from the get go but...) i do around 11" x 14" portraits (mostly as gifts) and by the time I get to details on the teeny tiny eyes I'm never satisfied that I got fine eyelashes or hair. My paper is pretty textured (mi-teintes touch.) Is that the problem? Or do people switch to other mediums for the details? I have conte a Paris pencils and pastel chalk. Any suggestions appreciated - thanks!

dencal

sidney73

Welcome to the Forum.

Details and fine work can be completed with Stabilo Carbothello pastel pencils.
Available as sets or individual colors. Have a look here for easy long points.

http://forum.drawmixpaint.com/discussion/6566/pencils-easy-long-points/p1

A rough irregular surface makes detailed work very difficult. Try Art Spectrum ColourFix paper or apply a coat ColourFix primer to a gesso surface. The texture is very even fine sandpaper that holds pastel well.

Love what you did here. Great work.

Denis

sidney73

Great - thanks Denis! I'll give that a try!

dencal

sidney73

Forgot to mention most of the clear gesso products give a reasonable tooth for pastel.
However, ColourFix has a fine range of background tints.

Denis

PaulR

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Rich_A

Looks fine to me. When I draw or paint a piece I never get caught up in tiny details. It's what it looks like across the room that matters to me. That's the left side of your brain telling you what it should look like. Keep posting. I like what I see.

It would be good to see a comparison from the photo you used.