Calf Stretch 2

"Calf Stretch 2"  (pastel, 6x6 inches)  click here to bid

I love the compact arrangement a calf makes when folding in on itself to reach a distant itchy body part.

This one was reminiscent of my first "Calf Stretch", which earned an Honorable Mention in the Pastel 100 Competition in 2013.

"Calf Stretch" (pastel, 5x7 inches)

Here are a few progress shots of Calf Stretch 2:

2 layers of the gold primer

 I first underpaint using acrylic-based pastel primers. The first layers are gold colored. This is Quiacridone Nickel Azo Gold fluid acrylic color mixed into Golden (brand) Fine Pumice Gel. The gel is clear, so the color mixture is semi-transparent, and gets darker on each application.

3 layers of the gold primer.

 The next (and sometimes final) color of primer is the Art Spectrum (brand) Pastel Primer in the terra cotta color. I lay it into the darker areas, then scrub and dry-brush it into the medium values of the gold to continue the value scale and add more depth to the underpainting.

the terra cotta primer added

In this case I also used some of the black primer (Art Spectrum brand again) since the calf has lots of black fur.

the black primer added

 After all this the job's half done!

starting in with the pastel

finishing with the pastel

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