I couldn’t decide what to paint for my next video demo until I saw a big beautiful eggplant (aubergine) in the market calling out to be painted! So I created a video on the complexities of painting an eggplant. Have a look.
Here’s the ‘Painting an Eggplant’ Video
This is a photograph of the setup. A reminder though – I always try to work from life. And I worked from life for this video. When I look at the photo, all the subtle colour changes that I saw in the luscious skin of the eggplant are missing as are all the other colours I saw.
And I’m off to the races!!
As you saw in the video, I spent time building up layers of colours especially on the eggplant. I had trouble getting the darkness right and balancing that darkness with colour. An interesting exercise for sure.
This demo took about an hour rather than the usual 35 mins or so. This was partly due to the increased size (from a 6 x 6 in square to a 6 x 11 in piece of paper) but also due to the complexity of colour I wanted to achieve while retaining the correct value structure.
I did use a limited palette but, because 50 pastels (Mount Vision’s workshop set) is more than I usually have to choose from, I found myself picking out more colours than I might have done with a smaller set.
Here are the pastels I used:
Have you ever painted an eggplant? Are you friend or foe with this vegetable. I’d LOVE to hear from you so why not leave a comment?!
Until next time,
~ Gail
12 thoughts on “Painting An Eggplant And Garlic”
I love watching your pastel demos! Thanks for posting!
Thanks so much Marie!! Encouragement like yours keeps me going 🙂
Lovely! Thanks for sharing your process. I love the brilliant yellow, and the way you pulled that note into the reflection on the eggplant. Yes, I have painted one paired with a lemon once. Loved capturing the deep dark eggplant color and sheen.
Thanks Takeyce! Interesting how we both went with a yellow colour to contrast with the darkness and purpleness of the eggplant.
Love the demo! So helpful to see you in action. Can’t wait to get an eggplant and give it a try!
Hey Renee, glad you liked the demo. Get that eggplant and let me know how it goes!!
I have just watched this great video for the second time: I do love watching your process and the way the image comes to life. I wish I didn’t seem to always get mud though when I try layering this many colours!
Thank you for spending the time putting these videos together. It is very much appreciated. 🙂
Thanks Kerry for your kind words AND for watching my video more than once 🙂
Are you using a sanded paper? They can take many more layers than say Canson Mi-Teintes. Also, as you see, I never blend (with fingers or tools) and that helps keep ‘mud’ at bay. A gentle pressure also helps!
In the main I use Pastelmat – I didn’t like the Canson Mi-Teintes. It is probably my technique rather than paper! I probably press too hard.
I think I have watched most of your videos more than once since I first came across you. 🙂
Yes, pressure is sooooooo important!! Try a lighter hand.
Thanks for being an enthusiastic video watcher 🙂
Finally got around to trying this after watching the demo again. Very pleased with the result. The hardest part is deciding when it’s finished and stepping back! Thank you for the inspiration .
That’s great Shauna. I know, making that decision to leave a piece alone is huge! Would love to see it. I have just this minute started a Facebook group for HowToPastel subscribers so why not post it there? https://www.facebook.com/groups/howtopastel/