A Review of Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels

The Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels are a joy with which to paint.  They are very soft lending themselves to a very free creative approach.   And yet as I used them on the UART Sanded Pastel Paper, I found that I also had as much control of the placement of the colors as I could have wished.

The colors are vivid and scrumptious.  There is a wide range of beautiful colors to choose from - 96 colors in all..  The pigments are light fast and fade resistant.  And they blend very nicely.  These pigments lay down clearly and beautifully on the paper.  You will be tempted to try all the colors, as am I.  So it is helpful that the Mungyo Soft Pastels are an affordable price.

These very soft pastels may be blended with a blending stump or if you prefer to be more tactile with your art, your fingers.   Even though the colors blend well, they are also strong enough to layer boldly on top of a previously drawn portion of your painting.   For my example I have created a painting with lots of blending and layering of color.  As you can see the Mungyo Handmade Soft Pastels handled the task well.  I enjoyed working with them and will use them again.  I have already recommended them to some of my pastel loving students.

Here are the supplies I used from Jerry's Artarama for this example:
Mungyo Gallery Handmade Soft Pastels
Creative Mark Paper Blending Stumps 
UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper 
SpectraFix Non Toxic Pastel Fixative





Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Exciting News and Prizes!

I have such exciting news to share with you. I've been waiting for a while to get to share this and waiting for just the right moment. Finally the time has come. 

 I am administrating a brand new site with a brand new concept.  The Graceful Artist is a collection of workshops presented from the perspective that our faith is enriched by our creativity and our creativity is enriched by our faith.  This idea is really an expression of what I have experienced in my own life.  They have each played a role in urging the other forward as I have moved through the challenges of life.  It is my prayer that this event will also encourage, renew, and blossom creativity and spiritual strength in those who participate.   

The event has a very talented line up of instructors who are committed to presenting high quality workshops in a video format.  There is so much more to tell.  You can read more on the Graceful Artist blog here.  

The Graceful Artist workshops open February 1, 2014.  The instructors are working to create the very best workshops just for you.  They are so excited as they prepare for and anticipate your arrival in their virtual classrooms.  

I will be teaching both a colored pencil drawing workshop as well as a workshop in art journaling.  Those are yet to be posted on the site.  

 

We are having a give away this weekend.  There will be a drawing from all the names of those that sign up on the site, follow the blog, and like the facebook page.  There are 2 prizes!  Fun, huh?!  The prizes will be a set of 12 Prismacolor Premier colored pencils in a handy tin and a Moleskine hardback watercolor journal. 

 

When you register (sign up) on site, you will be added to the newsletter.  Then you will get all the latest news and always know how plans are developing.  

Come on an join us.  Its going to be fun and refreshing.


Wind and Honey Creations

New Workshops Are Coming!

New workshops are on the horizon. Yea!!! I have 2 new workshops opening at Creative Pencils next week.  Both were created in response to the requests of students.  And both are using less than common pencils.   It is your opportunity to expand your pencil knowledge.  Double Yea!!

Panda in Pastels

Panda in Pastels is a drawing of a beautiful panda among the bamboo.  I drew the original as a gift for a new mother.  She had especially requested a panda bear.  Some of my students saw it while in progress and asked that I teach them how to draw one of their own.  I know you will love joining in.  In this workshop we use Derwent Soft Pastel pencils and I will take you through your drawing one step at a time.  Remember you can always ask me questions and show your work to me so that I can help you along the way.  I love looking at your work.  This colorful panda is a project that is suited to students of any drawing level.  

Lovely Wren

Lovely Wren started as a drawing I did at home just playing with my pencils.  One of my students saw it and requested a workshop so she could also draw a "lovely wren".  This drawing was created with Derwent Drawing pencils (sometimes referred to as Soft Drawing).  These pencils are very soft and layer in a very different way than regular colored pencils.  I think you will enjoy this new process and certainly your skills will benefit by expanding your knowledge. 

Dog Portrait in Graphite

One more bit of news is that the time for the Dog Portrait in Graphite workshop has been extended.  Due to my move, I am giving extra time just in case that complication was an interference for anyone else.  So, come on!  You've still got time to join in! 

Have a great weekend and remember to spend some quality time with your pencils.  I'd hate for them to get lonely.  Haha!


**CREATIVE PENCILS WORKSHOPS HAS MOVED TO CREATIVE WORKSHOPS**


Wind and Honey Creations

Oh The Things You Could Draw

You know how I love pumpkins.   This one is by Sandy Simpson

Shell from Pencils 201 by Justine Hennessy

Sometimes I wish I had a camera pointed at my face when I open the emails I get from my students.  Occasionally they find some of the exercises to be particularly challenging, and I feel their struggle.  But when it finally clicks and they begin to make real progress, I celebrate with them and the drawings they send to me bring big smiles to my face.

I have to brag on them sometimes because they are just so very good.  I love that they each have their own style and their own interest for drawing subjects.  I love that they are each finding their own unique creativity.

Here are some pieces done recently by a few of my students at Creative Pencils.  Now, when you look at these and are impressed - and of course, you will be impressed - remember that these students started out as beginners.  This is not the level at which they came into class.

Now, doesn't that bring a smile to your face? ....................
Yes, I thought so.....

"Chloe" by Sandra Petersen

Wind and Honey Creations

Thursdays Just For Fun - Cute Overload!

I have watched this video many times and it makes me giggle every time. I hope you find it equally as delightful. It starts slow. Just stay with it a moment.





Wind and Honey Creations