Comments on: Alain Voinot – Illuminating The Landscape On Black Paper

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:26:11 +0000

Paula, how wonderful to moved to tears – I think that’s the kind of reaction many artists hope their work will evoke.
I know how easy it is to feel overwhelm – there’s so many possibilities and so much to learn. The thing is to breathe and take on small, easily accomplished subjects. I think you are on the right track. And just keep painting!!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:23:07 +0000

In reply to ChrisD. Never too late Chris! Love your descriptions of why you like(d) using black paper. What do you use now?

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:21:23 +0000

In reply to Connie Burkhardt. Yay Connie! Glad Alain's post has inspired you to explore the use of black paper further.

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:20:22 +0000

In reply to Wendy Prest. Many thanks Wendy!!So great that you are experimenting both with black sanded paper and Canson Mi-teintes. There is definitely a skill necessary for both so sounds like you are moving forward nicely! Happy New Year!!

By: Paula Buran

Paula Buran — Wed, 28 Dec 2016 13:00:11 +0000

I am new to your blog Gail and I find it so full of useful information. Seeing Alain’s ethereal pastel paintings actually brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for hosting his work.
My questions are more basic, such as Alain’s mark making techniques for rendering the tree leaves in the distance. I used to draw more with my pastels by using the tips. Now I am trying to capture values and textures by using the side of my pastels. I almost feel overwhelmed, like your blog is too advanced for me. I don’t know where to start. I am going to try painting a common object for 20 minutes, like your wonderful sink plug. Thank you for the inspiration!
Paula

By: ChrisD

ChrisD — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:06:06 +0000

I’m a bit late to the party on this one. When I first started to use pastel I always found the darker papers more effective, I liked the way that pale colours stood out; and how it was possible to build the image and bring it up and out of the darkness of the paper. Alain’s use of black is unusual but the results look great, certainly works beautifully for his landscapes. I especially like “Return of the Night”….I’ve often stood on a riverbank when the light has faded right down and then seen this intense sparkling light on deep shadowy water.

By: Connie Burkhardt

Connie Burkhardt — Sat, 24 Dec 2016 03:44:09 +0000

Wow! I love Alain’s paintings on black. I have done a few on black but, now I will do more!

By: Wendy Prest

Wendy Prest — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:57:51 +0000

Thank you both–Gail, you made a great choice for this month’s artist! I’ve been very aware of Alain’s work and comments on your/our wonderful How To Pastel blog. Such a talent! I love working on black, usually sanded paper. During the challenges I’ve tried a few pictures on the Canson Mi-teintes papers and found it quite nice to work on. They hold many more layers that I’d expected…or maybe I’m getting to a point where I don’t need so many layers! I enjoyed the progress pictures, too. Beautiful work, Alain! My best wishes to you both for happy holidays.

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:32:47 +0000

In reply to Gailen lovett.

Gailen, love your full-on response to this post by Alain. I hoped many of those in the FB group would be very happy to see Alain’s work here. He’s been so active and generous in the group and this post would give a bigger picture, bringing it all together. Wow – you are diving in with both feet! Good for you. I sure look forward to seeing the results!
I know what you mean about Canson. Part of my amazement with Alain’s work is 1) it’s on black paper and 2) that he can create these beautiful landscapes on a spare that doesn’t take much pastel and which doesn’t do justice to the colours in pastels (they are more vibrant when used on sanded paper).
Glad you got so much out of the post!!

By: Gail Sibley

Gail Sibley — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:27:32 +0000

In reply to Maria Romero. It's so interesting to hear why artists make the choices they do, so thanks for sharing your reasons Maria. And yes, I can see that a foggy painting would use up a lot of pastel to lighten a dark paper!