Using One Color? Yes, One Color
Pastel Prompt #298: Monochrome It
When I say pastel prompt in one color, I really mean discover the power of monochrome! In this simple exercise below, Dawn Emerson shows how working with color on a solo basis can enhance your ability to understand and use value changes in your art.
Materials
- Soft pastels: three values (light, mid, dark) of one color
- Charcoal full value mass drawing
- Razor blade
- Color wheel
Steps
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Assess
• Observe the monochromatic image you’ve created in the camera and compare this to your charcoal photo.
• Turn the photo into a black-and-white version to see how your values are working. If you need to lighten or darken anything, you can go in and remove or add pastel or charcoal.
This is just one of the dozens of pastel prompts featured in Dawn Emerson’s Pastel Innovations Painting Guide along with essential materials and tips, inspirations on compositions, underpainting know-how and creative techniques that will let your love of pastel grow along with your skills with it.
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