Latest News for the UK Artist Karen M Berisford

Creating an Oil Pastel Portrait of Storm -A Yellow Labrador Retriever

21/8/2023

Having recently finished an oil pastel painting of our late black Labrador, Haze, I decided to create one of our beautiful Yellow Labrador Storm. Since Storm is 14, every day with him is precious. I have not yet completed his portrait, so I thought this composition would make the perfect portrait.

Read on and discover the step-by-step process behind my oil pastel painting of Storm. You'll gain a better understanding of how everything comes together and the techniques I use to achieve my results, particularly insightful if you are looking to book a portrait of your own.

Oil pastel painting of a Yellow Labrador in a wheat field

Completed oil pastel painting of Storm

When it comes to my oil pastel paintings, I prefer a loose style that is reminiscent of traditional oil paintings. These highly pigmented pastels boast a vibrant and striking colour palette, and help to create a textured finish that adds depth and character to the overall composition. My goal is to accentuate the unique features of each subject through careful layering and definition, ultimately bringing the portrait to life in a way that feels both authentic and captivating.

Early stages of a Yellow Labrador oil pastel painting on Ampersand Pastelbord

I loosely apply the base colours, ensuring they are blended smoothly for a soft finish. Using paper stumps of varying sizes proves to be extremely helpful in manipulating the pastels. I usually work with large and small oil pastels from Sennelier, so I can quickly cover different areas.

Yellow Labrador oil pastel painting on Ampersand Pastelbord and Sennelier oil pastels

For my paintings, I exclusively use artist-quality, lightfast oil pastels from Sennelier and Neopastels by Caran d'Ache. I use a surface by Ampersand Art called Pastelbord, which is an archival medium-textured and highly absorbent surface coated with an acid-free clay and gesso ground with a marble dust finish. To explore the products mentioned and learn more about them, you can easily access their individual pages on my other website Step by Step Art. If you are an artist, you may find the articles helpful.

An oil pastel painting of a Yellow Labrador called Storm sat in a wheat field. The blending process.

In loving memory of Storm
20th of October 2023

If you are interested in my oil pastel paintings, I invite you to my oil pastel commissions page. There, you will discover my other pastel works. I am always happy to collaborate with new clients and create a unique portrait that captures their vision. Please contact me if you have any questions or want to discuss your ideas further.

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Capturing the Timeless Beauty: Sycamore Gap Tree Oil Pastel Painting Artwork

28/7/2023

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I recently finished an oil pastel painting of the famous 'Sycamore Gap' tree in Northumberland. This tree has been an iconic landmark in the landscape since the 19th century, as stated by the National Trust, the organisation that owns the land where it stands.

Neopastels and Sennelier oil pastels in wooden trays next to an oil pastel painting of the Sycamore Gap Tree in Northumberland, UK

What subject could be more fitting for an oil pastel painting than the iconic Sycamore Tree beside Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland National Park? The highly abrasive Fisher400 paper enhances the application's effectiveness, creating subtle peaks of texture. The creamy texture of the oil pastels ensures the pigment spreads smoothly and quickly, culminating in a stunning impasto effect.

In this painting, my intention is to apply pastels in a deliberately loose and patchy manner, offering a unique interpretation of the subject. This method gives the artwork a distinct quality that sets it apart from my other pieces created with acrylics and coloured pencils. With oil pastels, I find I can express myself more freely, while still pursuing a degree of realism that presents a challenge, which is my primary goal in any artwork I complete.

White oil pastel from Sennelier resting on an oil pastel painting of the Sycamore tree in Northumberland, UK

As is the case with any form of art, the ultimate judgment of the finish of a piece lies with the viewer. Personally, oil pastels, a relatively recent addition to my artistic repertoire, rank among my preferred mediums due to their versatile manipulability and capacity for expressiveness, especially when working on larger canvases. The drawback of oil pastel artwork is its tendency to attract debris, necessitating a protective cover during non-working periods. While they mimic the polished look of oil paintings, oil pastel works should invariably be displayed behind glass when framed.

Hadrian's Wall

A little background on the tree and surrounding area

The Sycamore Gap Tree, also known as the Robin Hood Tree, is a popular attraction near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It stands in a dramatic dip, created by glacial meltwater, next to Hadrian's Wall and is situated within the landscape, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rising walls. The tree gained its alternative name from its appearance in the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and the music video for Bryan Adams 'Everything I do, I do it for you' a song from the film's soundtrack. In 2016, it won the England Tree of the Year award. The National Trust owns the wall and the land around the tree, a favourite spot for tourists and photographers. It is visible from the nearby Military Road and is considered one of the most photographed trees in the country, possibly the most photographed point, even in all of Northumberland National Park. On the 28th of September 2023, the Sycamore Tree, was intentionally felled in an act of vandalism.

For those keen on exploring oil pastels, I've authored a blog titled 'An Introduction to Oil Pastels' on Ken Bromley's art store website. It offers a detailed overview, along with useful hints and tips for mastering this lesser-known medium. Additionally, my extensive article about Sennelier oil pastels on the Step by Step Art website serves as a resource for artists wishing to delve deeper into these professional quality pastels.

Oil pastels paintings of a black labrador, green mercury montclair, sennelier oil pastels and The Sycamore Gap tree

To learn more about commissioning an oil pastel portrait with me, please explore my oil pastel gallery or visit my commissions page to book or request a quote. Alternatively, feel free to contact me directly.

Oil Pastels Gallery promo image depicting green shoes and a green mercury montclair 1956 car

Oil pastel painting of a black Labrador Retriever and oil pastels

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Capturing Haze: A Lifelike Oil Pastel Portrait of a black Labrador Retriever

24/4/2023

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I enjoy using oil pastels to create portraits in addition to coloured pencils and acrylics, and I find it to be one of the most versatile mediums available. When it comes to creating beautiful and unique works of art, oil pastels offer an unmatched finish that can be applied to any subject with ease.

One of my latest portraits is of our late black Labrador Haze.

Neopastels and Sennelier oil pastels and an oil pastels painting of a black labrador with a raspberry squeaky dog toy created on Ampersand Pastelbord

In loving memory of Haze - 03.05.23

When creating my oil pastel paintings, I use professional pastel brands such as Sennelier and Caran d'Ache. One of the most significant advantages of using Sennelier and other soft pastel brands is their superior coverage and pigmentation. These pastels offer a rich and vibrant color that makes each stroke stand out and come to life. On the other hand, harder pastels such as Neopastel enable me to produce fine lines, which is essential when creating intricate details and textures in my portraits.

Building up the layers on a black Labrador oil pastel painting

Progress so far on a black Labrador oil pastel painting

When it comes time to store or frame my oil pastel portraits, I always take great care to ensure that they are protected. Since oil pastels never dry, it is highly recommended to store them in a secure location until they are framed. When framing, I highly recommend using glass to prevent debris such as hair and dust particles from damaging the painting's surface. Improper removal of debris can damage the painting's surface, but using glass can prevent this from happening.

Blending oil pastels with a tortillion on a black Labrador painting

It is important that a spacer is present between the painting and glass. This is done to prevent them from touching and adhering to each other, which can cause irreversible damage to the artwork. The spacer is a thin strip that adheres to the glass surface, creating a gap between it and the glass. When viewed from a close distance and at an angle, the spacer can be seen, but it is designed to be discreet and does not detract from the artwork itself. The material used for this oil pastel painting is known as acrylic glass. This particular product boasts exceptional durability and a reduced risk of breakage.

spacer and glass in an oil pastel painting of a black labrador

An oil pastel painting of a black Labrador using Sennelier and Caran d'Ache Neopastel oil pastels framed in a black ornate frame

Overall, oil pastels are an incredibly versatile and beautiful medium that can create stunning works of art. Should you wish to inquire about ordering an oil pastel portrait, please get in touch.

Feel free to share this post via your social media or email someone who may find this article of interest.

Exploring Art Materials: Derwent Chromaflow, Sennelier Oil Pastels, plus: Soft Pastel Poppy Fields Tutorial

26/2/2023

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Why not visit my website for art tutoring at: www.stepbystepart.co.uk. Here, you can explore a variety of articles that feature product reviews, recommendations, helpful hints, tips, and even art tutorials. Simply click on any image that catches your eye to access the corresponding article. Each link will open in a new tab, allowing you to easily return to this website at any time.

As an artist, you'll discover a plethora of information regarding art products and mediums on this website. It doesn't matter what level of artistic skill you possess, there's bound to be something beneficial for you.

Pink flamingo in oil pastels on Clairfontaine Pastelmat

The Sennelier oil pastel is creamy, with an extraordinarily high pigment content, providing vivid colour and lightfastness. In this article, we delve into the possibilities of this pastel, its history and much more. Even if you have never used oil pastels before, this article may inspire you to give them a go. Read the article by clicking the image above.

The Chromaflow pencil was released in June of 2021 by Derwent, who has produced quality products for over a century and a half. In this article, we analyse the quality and application of the pencils and see how they compare to other brands, in particular the highly popular Prismacolor Premier pencil. Read the article by clicking the image.

Poppy fields soft pastel tutorial advert

Soft Pastels Art Tutorial

Whether you're a beginner or just seeking to expand your knowledge, our guide can help you create a stunning landscape filled with vibrant poppies. Our step-by-step instructions make it easy to build the foundation and use practical techniques to achieve the desired result. Simply click on the image to access the tutorial.

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Creating an Oil Pastel Portrait of Storm -A Yellow Labrador Retriever

In loving memory of Storm
20th of October 2023

Capturing the Timeless Beauty: Sycamore Gap Tree Oil Pastel Painting Artwork

A little background on the tree and surrounding area

Capturing Haze: A Lifelike Oil Pastel Portrait of a black Labrador Retriever

Exploring Art Materials: Derwent Chromaflow, Sennelier Oil Pastels, plus: Soft Pastel Poppy Fields Tutorial

Soft Pastels Art Tutorial

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION

Creating an Oil Pastel Portrait of Storm -A Yellow Labrador Retriever

In loving memory of Storm20th of October 2023

Capturing the Timeless Beauty: Sycamore Gap Tree Oil Pastel Painting Artwork

A little background on the tree and surrounding area

Capturing Haze: A Lifelike Oil Pastel Portrait of a black Labrador Retriever

Exploring Art Materials: Derwent Chromaflow, Sennelier Oil Pastels, plus: Soft Pastel Poppy Fields Tutorial

Soft Pastels Art Tutorial

Author

Categories

Archives

Get In Touch

​SERVICES

​COMMISSIONS

​HELP & INFORMATION

In loving memory of Storm
20th of October 2023

SERVICES

COMMISSIONS

HELP & INFORMATION