Speed painting - hens in pastel

**best viewed in HD/HQ mode** Here are four of the hens that free range outside my studio, having a good old gossip. I just painted this for fun - how could I not, they're such great characters..............................It took 7 hours to complete. I used pastel pencils (all sorts of brands) on Fisher 400 sanded paper....................... To answer the FAQs that I usually get: I don't use water or any fluids. The background is in soft pastel sticks, the 'brush' looking thing I use on it at the start is a silicon 'colour shaper' tool: it blends the colours. The hens are done entirely with pastel pencils. Mostly I use Faber Castell & Schwann CarbOthello. I used to use Derwent, but have had quality issues so I've stopped using them and cannot recommend them. The stick you can see some of the time is a Mahl stick, as used by signwriters. It's just to lean my hand on without smudging the work. I do sell my work and take portrait commissions in the UK (it's my living, so please don't ask for freebies!), more about that on my website for anyone interested. I don't do any teaching or tuition, I just make these videos from time to time because people seem to enjoy watching the process. Hope you do too... happy viewing!

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• speed
• painting
• paint
• chickens
• poultry
• bird
• hens
• art
• artist
• pastel
• pencil
• draw
• drawing
• mary
• herbert
• time
• lapse
• derwent
• schwann
• carbothello
• faber
• castell
• pitt

[LeopardsChangeSpots]

Awesome! Just purchased my first set of chalky pastels and I watched this and want the pencils now as well. Truly amazing artwork. Can you use other papers to achieve good results?

[portraUK]

@LeopardsChangeSpots yes, its a good idea to try a few different ones if you can. I've been using Clairefontaine Pastelmat lately and I love it. Also, try mount card

[tippydog10]

You're an amazing artist! I've only been drawing with charcoal, but I think this may be interesting to try. How long have you been drawing with pastels??

[portraUK]

@tippydog10 thanks! Charcoal is a good way to start, then start using chalk too and soon you'll want to add colour. That's how I got started, must be 25 years ago

[jackittafemme]

Just lovely, for me that I love hens and roosters,,,but love horses as well,,,animal lover!...I like oils, but because of you I'm starting to have feelings for pastels!..I think I'm going to try it, so I´ll keep on looking at your inspiring talent!! Any suggestion for starters,,,brands about paper and pencils??? You´re great congrats!

[portraUK]

@jackittafemme thanks! For starting out, try to get hold of some sanded paper (I use Fisher 400) and a few Faber Castell Polychromos hard pastel sticks - get the same colours you normally have on your oil palette to begin with. They are very versatile hard pastels and are good for broad strokes and detail, so will definitely give you a good start that you can expand on later, without breaking the bank.

[joannaVONd]

7 hours ...

WOAW chu ish aweshum d;

[artisttl]

Great work!!

[SaraSindari]

Fantastic artwork, and I laughed at the song, perfect for a bunch of gossiping hens!

[kendallbob]

i love hens!