Paint, Pencil, Pastel

A comprehensive look at my favourite materials and how I use them together.

I have been thinking a lot about materials lately, specifically how to combine them, spurred on by my recent love affair with pastels. I thought it would be a good time to take you on a tour of the supplies I keep to hand and how I like to use them in my work.

Nature studies in gouache, coloured pencil, Neocolor II and chalk pastel

Gouache

Gouache is the original and enduring element in my work. We had to buy a set for colour theory class at uni and it was love at first sight. Basically watercolour but opaque and less methodical, it suited my desire for immediacy, a short drying time and bold, pigmented colours.

Winsor & Newton gouache, stored in a wooden cigar case which serves as a palette when I’m on the go.

Traditionally it is watered down “to the consistency of single cream” for a flat, opaque colour, but what’s lovely is its versatility. I like to vary the consistency, sometimes using very watery washes and then gliding some much thicker paint onto the wet surface. I also love using a dry brush technique for texture.

Gouache forms the base layer of my mixed media paintings. Since it dries matt, it is easy to work over with other materials.

Coloured Pencils

In 2017 I attended a workshop with botanical illustrator Sarah Jane Humphrey, where she showed me her technique of painting in watercolour or gouache first, then completing the piece with coloured pencil. As someone who loved both painting and drawing, this way of working appealed to me.

Mostly Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft and Luminance

Later I obtained a set of Caran d’Ache Supracolor Soft watercolour pencils, which I could use wet or dry - particularly compatible with my beloved gouache - and the possibilities multiplied. I especially love to dip them in water to make thick, painty lines.

Neocolor II

In 2019, I did an internship at Slow Galerie, Paris, and it was there that I discovered Beya Rebaï’s work. I found the textures so appetising that I had to try her medium of choice, Caran d’Ache Neocolor II.

These, too, are water soluble, but also thick and creamy, a bit like oil pastels. I draw directly onto my palette with them and use them like paint, I dip them in water and draw with them, or I use them dry over dried gouache. They are probably the most versatile art supply I own.

Chalk Pastels

Chalk pastels are a pretty new addition to my arsenal. I don’t know the “proper” way to use them and I don’t want to; it is too much fun to work it out my way from scratch. What I do know is that I love them. They come in so many incredibly subtle colours and they offer new texture possibilities ranging from the softest hazy gradients to deliciously thick, dusty, highly pigmented lines.

At a recent online life drawing session, we were encouraged to use chalk pastels wet. I didn’t realise that was possible, but indeed you can dip them in water and they take on a pasty, almost paint-like texture. Or you can draw with them onto a wet surface and they bloom and bleed. They adhere to the paper better this way too. I’m still practicing, but I think it has a lot of potential. I have also been scraping pastel dust onto my palette, applying water and using it like grainy watercolour. Delicious.

If there is one thing I’ve realised in writing this, it’s that there is so much more to say on the matter. I haven’t even touched on paper, sketchbooks or brushes, so let’s consider this a part one. Honestly, I could talk about art supplies all day. Let me know what your favourites are, I would love to check them out!

Till next time,