Oil Pastel

So, lately I found a medium that I really enjoy working with: Oil Pastel. I am not very good with paints,  but I really enjoy charcoal, and I think this has become a happy medium of the two. When I was in Scotland, I took a course called, Rendering the Human Form (Life Drawing is my concentration). Our instructor bought us some oil sticks to experiment, and I LOVED them and in Deb's words, "They are brilliant". However, they are extremely expensive, so I never really pursued in buying more (The four that we got were on a huge discount for 10 quid). But, while at one of my many trips to Hobby Lobby this summer to see if they even had any (which they don't) I found a set of oil pastels which are still expensive, but less than the sticks and plus there is a way larger assortment. Anyways, I have been playing around with them and I think I am going to stick with this medium for my senior show. I enjoy the smoothness and the way the colors blend so well. So here are a couple of the sketches that I have done so far. I apologize for the poor quality, the pictures were taken on my phone.

I have this idea for my works to be less detailed, almost in an unfinished quality. I think that presents the viewer to create their own narrative with a hint of the mood and character. This idea came from a painting demonstration by William Whitaker. What I love most about doing art, is the process and steps it takes to complete a piece. I have always been one to track my progression as it goes and what ends up happening is that I like the way it looks before I call it "done". So, I am trying to force myself to stop before this point. I like the way this is turning out and I wish I had more time to work on it this weekend but alas, I have other classes that need my attention.