New A signature technique by Elena and Vladimir Illichov
Velvet Pastel
The second signature technique alongside Blade & Socks. Dry pastel on dark or light sandpaper: the rough ground grips the sticks and gives a velvet surface, while light and two half-tones emerge from the dark. A course is coming soon; for now, watch the authors at work.
Three pastel directions
Only the light and two half-tones emerge from the dark. The dark cast shadows of black sauce and understatement delight the viewer.
A light rough ground gives airy, clear colour and a soft velvet texture.
Olena Illichova’s flowers and roses — the AURUM Editions “Pastel on Paper” series.
In the studio
Olena Illichova finishes “Red Delicious”, signs it and frames it.
Videos from the AURUM Art Gallery channel
Pastel works
Originals by Olena Illichova in the AURUM Editions series (Pastel on Paper).
White Rosebud
Rosa ferox
Rose Pierre de Ronsard
Flamingo
Wisteria Sinensis
Lilium Oriental Hybrids
Tulip, Where Are You?
Red GladiolusSee all pastel works — originals by Olena and Volodymyr on AURUM Art Gallery →
About the technique
Fine-grained dark sandpaper is the ideal ground for drawing with dry pastel. Its rough structure grips the coloured pastel sticks and gives the image a velvet surface. The B&S painting technique and pastel on grit share the same laws: out of the dark surface only the light and two half-tones emerge. Understatement and the dark cast shadows of black sauce are one more advantage that delights the viewer. Framing the work under glass is obligatory: that way the pastel will not shed and will stay bright for many years.
Materials
- dark or light fine-grained sandpaper
- a set of dry pastels
- black sauce
- a frame under glass
A pastel course is coming soon. Elena and Vladimir Illichov are recording the video lessons.