Monday, July 28, 2014

PanPastel Hop

What a thrill to be playing with PanPastels! LOVE these products, I've been using them for years and I simply never tire of their intense pigment. I use the pastels in encaustic work, on my journal pages and here, when trying to 'save' an ugly background.
Now, after me posting a couple of my 'mishaps',  you might be wondering why I have so many ugly backgrounds hanging around?
Good question. Sometimes I am convinced that every piece of art must go through an ugly stage. Or maybe that's just me. Plus, I experiment a lot and am often messing around with products in ways they were not intended to be used, mainly because I don't have an art degree so I honestly don't know what you are supposed to do with some products. Ahem.....Needless to say, I sometimes end up with yuck.  Here is a picture of the 'before' with just two stenciled portions.
This was one such piece. I can't even remember what I was doing, but it got super dark on the corners. And it was F-L-A-T.
Ugh.
So I decided to add my texture via Golden's Acrylic Ground for Pastels. Now keep in mind, this Ground is not really a texture product, it is more like a super toothy gesso that is used to prep a surface for working in pastel. Yeah, I even mis-use products that I have been trained to use.
But, I liked the idea of creating stenciled parts to use with the Pan Pastel and the Ground held up well.
I found that, by using the Acrylic Ground for Pastel, I could pretty much 'dry brush' (or 'dry sponge') the pigment over the Ground and somewhat retain my background color. Of course I got going a little more wild and wooly and ended up creating several layers of Ground. All the color shown here (except for the little bits behind the bird heads and daisy) were achieved with PanPastel.
Can you say YUM!
Here are my tips for working with PanPastels:
  1. Use the Sofft Tools, the texture of these amazing sponges is simply perfect.
  2. Keep a clean paper towel at your side while you work. Before you change color, wipe the sponge on the paper towel until you no longer see any pigment color coming off. This will ensure that you don't contaminate the next color you use.
  3. Use less color than you think you need. One swipe provides more pigment than you can ever imagine. 
  4. Don't be afraid to experiment. I have created many cool effect with PanPastel and blending them out with gesso or other mediums. Remember, they are pigment!!
  5. Check out the PanPastel website, specifically THIS PAGE, which I have found to be extremely helpful.  
GIVEAWAY
We know after you see all the techniques we show you this week you are going to want to play too! Enter the GIVEAWAY to be eligible to win the prize below. Just leave a comment and tell us if you use PanPastels with stencils and your favorite technique. You can also leave comments on all of the individual posts this week on all the blogs from our team members for another chance to win! All comments within the 4 day period are eligible.

GIVEAWAY closes Sunday, August 3rd @ 11:59PM Central Time.
One comment per post please.

PRIZE
Monday

100 comments:

  1. Wow...very nice! The Pan Pastels are so vibrant, and I love all the texture. Beautiful work!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow, love your creation! I love to play with pan pastels. I never used the pastel ground but do have some. I will use it now. I've don a couple of things with my pastels including the mixed media video project. I've recently been using them to fill in stencil tracings and using golden glazing medium to paint the colors and blend them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love how you changed the first painting with the pan pastel. I have used stencils with the pan pastel and this year I have used it with wax to color background on portraits painted on wood with joint compound for an amazing affect.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous4:48 AM

    I have one green pan pastel and it's fun to use with stencils...also like to use it to add colour to the edge of pages

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have some Pan Pastels and am going to get some acrylic ground today and try this technique. It looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have used my Pan Pastels with stencils just by rubbing the Pan Pastel over the stencil. Very quick and a great change from using sprays with the stencils.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mary Beth, this is AMAZING!
    If I didn't see the transformation, I wouldn't believe that this gorgeous, bright piece resulted from the first dark background! So inspiring! I need to try some of that Acrylic Ground for Pastels!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Actually I never tried using stencils with my Pan Pastels but I'm going to try it now. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Keep on misusing them because it looks fabulous! Your tips are super handy too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This was very informative, Mary Beth -- thanks! It's amazing, the transformation you did on the original artwork -- with beautiful results!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love these. Happy to see how they work.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've not had a chance to try pan pastels yet, but been dreaming of having them recently! thank you for the lesson and the giveaway! :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love my pan pastels! I mostly use them at the end of my mixed media projects to enhance colors around areas that have modeling paste. They also add beautiful shading around the finished edges of a piece.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous8:46 AM

    I think my post went into space. Sorry if this is a duplicate.
    You did a great job in replacing your "dark" spaces. Thanks for the tips on using the sponges.
    I have the pastels but haven't done anything with them (got them out once and wasn't sure what to do) so this week will be a big benefit for me.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I do not have any PanPastels so I have not tried them through stencils or otherwise. But just seeing the transformation on your dark painting to the bright cheerful piece makes me want to do the same on some of my ugly/unused pieces. Even if I don't win the prize package, I'll be sure to give PanPastels a try with my SG stencils!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have not had the opportunity to use Pan Pastels, but I would love to have some! What a beautiful transformation on your "ugly" art!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have not used pan pastels. Silly me! Off I go to the art supply store.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous9:32 AM

    Thanks for the great tips and love your art piece!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very neat background, love the detail and texture!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I just started following your blog and I am just learning to use the pan pastels, I love the details here on how to fix a bad background which I have plently

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very cool...I really love all your artwork, beautiful. Hopefully I'll get it down, soon

    ReplyDelete
  22. Pan Pastels are one of my favorites to use.. what a great way to add texture, and to make a just ok piece to something fabulous!! Love your work!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love Pan Pastels....and love the ideas for using them with my Stencil Girl stencils!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This is gorgeous! Love all the texture and color... and I love new ideas on using the grounds for pastels, and using the PanPastels like pigment!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have used my Pan Pastels with stencils before and really liked it. The use of ground takes this to another level. Can't wait to try it out. Many thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Amazing page and I totally agree on my art going to an ugly stage at some point in the process. Experimenting is the only way sometimes!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I have pan pastels but never thought to use them with stencils, I will have to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful as always, Mary Beth! I haven't tried the pastels with stencils yet, but I'd love to!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I haven't used Pan Pastels-I know, shocker! Love what I am seeing here and so anxious to give them a try-especially with Stencil Girl stencils!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If my reply prints I couldn't finish and will on FB. If the reply doesn't print such is life.

      Delete
  30. I absolutely love this spread! I had no idea there was a special medium for pastels! I see I'm going to learn alot this week! Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I am excited to try the Pan Pastels with the stencils. I have not used it yet.

    ReplyDelete
  32. How could I NOT love this! Red, birds and YOU made it :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Pan Pastels & Stencils & Texture...OH MY! Have not tried pan pastels yet. Want to now! Thanks for the ugly before and the beautiful example of your art becoming metamorphosed via the pan petals.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow! You really saved those birds, Mary Beth! And SO SO beautifully! I really need to try these pan pastels - thank you for the chance to WIN them!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have not used pan pastels before but what you have done is wonderful thank you for sharing I am not sure what ground is so i am going to go away and investigate thanks for the chance of winning

    ReplyDelete
  36. I do not have any pan pastels yet but have been drooling over them with envy for some time now. I'm afraid this week may push me over the edge! Wait...maybe my name will be drawn...that would be so awesome!

    I would love to use pan pastels with stencils in my journal and I know that once I started playing with them I would come up with so many more beautiful uses. Thank you for doing this blog hop and showing so many different ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Absolutely love the birds! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win the pastels!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just goes to show...there are no bad paintings, only unfinished ones. I've never used pan pastels. Do they have to be 'fixed', or does the work have to be framed under glass?

    ReplyDelete
  39. I've heard pan pastels are yummy to work with - and would love to have the chance. Would love to win, and also love your work!

    ReplyDelete
  40. This is so encouraging to see a 'bad' background transformed. Thanks for the great giveaway

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful "save" that resulted in a gorgeous page!! Thanks for sharing your great idea about using the Ground for Pastels to stencil with then add the pan pastel over it!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Enjoy your artwork!! They are always "fun". What a cool give away. Wow

    ReplyDelete
  43. I too have a whole pile of ugly backgrounds waiting for resuscitation! I called it my tribe of lonely backgrounds! LOL! I love what you did here ~ looks fabulous ~ as does all your work! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. LOVE the birds on this...Pan Pastels look cool to play with and my SG stencils!

    ReplyDelete
  45. What an amazing transformation! I love, love, love the texture. Those Pan Pastels are AWESOME! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  46. I haven't tried PanPastels yet, but have them on my wish list. I will be retiring in a few weeks and plan to dive headlong back into my art. Can't wait to get started!

    ReplyDelete
  47. I bought a couple, but did not know what to do with them. I can't wait to get them out and try this.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Beautiful! I have never used pan pastels, and don't own any, sadly!

    ReplyDelete
  49. Wow. I'm amazed at how you transformed that piece!

    ReplyDelete
  50. I am so glad you are using pan pastels. I have them but have never tried them with the thousands of stencils that I have.LOL This will be so much fun following everyone for some great art and techniques to learn. Thank you! MB I just love love love your project. I have bookmarked the link you provided to learn more about these great " pigments"!

    ReplyDelete
  51. This Hop is wonderful! Love learning more about Pan pastels. Now I want them even more!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. These techniques and products are opening up a whole new world for me.

    ReplyDelete
  53. I haven't used Pan Pastels as of yet, but am growing my collection of tools and techniques. The colors are so amazing. Stencils and intense colors make a great base for art journaling!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I haven't use Pan Pastels yet...I keep seeing wonderful art done with them. I think its time I check them out. Thanks for the give away.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'm glad other people create "yuck" too :) I like the idea of creating something awesome from the yuck! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  56. Wow, just LOVE Pan Pastels and I must confess I use them in much the same way as I am often irreverent of various mediums and use them fearlessly in many unorthodox ways :-)

    ReplyDelete
  57. i have never used pan pastels before, but would love to try them!! tfs :) fingers crossed!

    ReplyDelete
  58. I haven't used them yet, but after reading these blogs and tutorials I will be ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  59. I haven't tried pan pastels yet, but have seen several demos that make them look really intriguing. Looking forward to trying them soon.

    ReplyDelete
  60. Would love to win to try them with stencils!!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Love how your canvas turned out Mary. I am always so scared to play with my crafty stash when I don't know how it works. Thanks for doing the experimentation for us. Theresa x

    ReplyDelete
  62. i love pan pastels and use them inmy encaustic work, with and without stencils. Would love to win!

    ReplyDelete
  63. I love pan pastels, but I've never used them with stencils, I'll have to give it a try. Thanks so much for the great giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  64. I love PanPastels and I love using them with stencils :)

    ReplyDelete
  65. I have never used PanPastels, but I do have a bunch of Oil Pastels. My mother in law uses PanPastels in her scrapbooking and cardmaking and I would love to try them out with my artmaking!

    ReplyDelete
  66. Wonderful blog content Mary!!!! I have a few Pan Pastels and have never blended out with other mediums....hmmmm sounds very very interesting !!! lol Thank you for all you do!!!

    ReplyDelete
  67. Pan Pastels is something I would not of thought to use with my stencils. Now I must give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I have never used pan pasters but after seeing this would love to try.

    ReplyDelete
  69. I've always been afraid to try pan pastels! Now I can't wait! thanks so much for the opportunity to win!

    ReplyDelete
  70. I love this! I so want to try pan pastels!

    ReplyDelete
  71. What fun!!
    I've never used Pan Pastels !!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Love it! Going to get some Ground for Pastels today. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  73. I have never used pan pastels but would like to try them.

    ReplyDelete
  74. I love this! I'd like to try pan pastels! Thanks for shrinng and the Blog HOp was very interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  75. Beautiful, I love the birds and all the dimension.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Love it! One of the best things about those projects that aren't working as you hoped is that I take more chances with them when I push them forward. Sometimes they end up being the ones I like best! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  77. MaryBeth, Your colors of Pan Pastels you chose are so warm and soothing- beautiful
    canvas! Thank you for sharing ")

    ReplyDelete
  78. What a totally different result! I loved that you transformed that darker canvas into something with so much depth. I love your layers! Great results!

    ReplyDelete
  79. I need to start playing with them some more, I love what everyone has done.

    ReplyDelete
  80. I have to try PanPastels

    ReplyDelete
  81. If that was a mistake, you need to make more of them, Mary Beth!

    ReplyDelete
  82. I'd say you turned that piece from an ugly duckling into a gorgeous swan. Beautiful.

    I apologize, but my e-mail sends out spam, so in the event I win, please notify me on my blog only, please.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Great project Mary, so much texture, and pan pastels are my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  84. I'm hoping to try pan pastels someday. Do the sponges work well with paints too? And do they crumble if used in a circular motion. I've been looking for some great sponges to use with my stencils. Maybe I've just found them!

    ReplyDelete
  85. I need to win the giveaway to be able to try pan pastels. The look so fun.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Am in love with what this hop is teaching me. I need Pan Pastels now!!!! Love the texture and dimension!

    ReplyDelete
  87. I honestly thought pan pastels were just one more "fad" in the land of multimedia. Boy, was I wrong. This hop is showing me all the great qualities and inspiration that I needed to put Pan Pastels at the top of my wish list. Thanks for all the info.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Great ideas Mary Beth I guess I have stayed away from pan pastels from just the fear factor of using them! I never even thought to use them with stencils!

    ReplyDelete
  89. I don't have any pan pastels but would love to try them. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  90. This is gorgeous! I love the soft smooth look of it!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Got my new pan pastels today!" Can't wait! Roseheartnsoul (at) aol (dot com)

    ReplyDelete
  92. I love love love what happened to your piece after your so called ugly stage. It is fabulous! I do use stencils with pan pastel.

    ReplyDelete
  93. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  94. I don't have any pan pastels...yet, but they look like a great thing to use with your awesome stencils!

    ReplyDelete
  95. I love seeing art being rescued. I often g over things months or years after I first create them.

    ReplyDelete
  96. So cool to see the transformation! Wonderful color palette. Your tips are super handy, too, even though I've never used Pan Pastels before... You've made them seem easy to work with. Thanks Mary Beth!

    ReplyDelete
  97. your work is very beautiful, I love the tones you chose!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Wow, this is great! thanks
    bpp2255@aol.com

    ReplyDelete

If you are entering a GIVEAWAY, please add your email address in the event I need to contact you.

To avoid SPAM, please write it like this:
stencilgirlproducts (at) gmail (dot com)