{"id":28548,"date":"2023-10-13T12:56:51","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T19:56:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.howtopastel.com\/?p=28548"},"modified":"2023-10-13T12:56:55","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T19:56:55","slug":"andrew-mcdermott-how-to-loosen-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.howtopastel.com\/2023\/10\/andrew-mcdermott-how-to-loosen-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Andrew McDermott – How To Loosen Up"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I\u2019ve always been a huge fan of the work by Canadian artist Andrew McDermott! And so I\u2019m pleased as punch that he agreed to write a guest blog for HowToPastel with a focus on how to loosen up. I hear this request a lot – How can I loosen up? – so I know this guest post is going to be super helpful!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t know Andrew McDermott\u2019s work? Here\u2019s a taste of what\u2019s in store for you! (It\u2019s one of my recent favourites of his work!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Andrew McDermott, “Cloud,” 2022, pastel on UART Dark, 14 x 10 1\/2 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Before we go on, here\u2019s a wee bit about Andrew.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andrew McDermott Bio<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Andrew McDermott is an IAPS Master\u2019s Medallion Circle member. With many International Awards, he\u2019s also been featured in articles in top art magazines such as International Artist<\/em>, The Artist UK<\/em>, Pastel World<\/em>, Magazin’art<\/em>, and the Pastel Journal<\/em>. Andrew is a popular workshop instructor and teaches at Capilano University and the Vancouver Film School. Check out his website<\/a> for more info and images. Make sure to go and check out his stunning life drawing work!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Andrew<\/a>
Andrew McDermott, “Moving Lights,” 2021, pastel on UART Dark, 24 x 14 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A couple of notes before I hand you over to Andrew McDermott. I\u2019ve scattered Andrew’s paintings throughout the post. And, at the very end, you\u2019ll find an in-depth step-by-step demo showing his process of working. What a treat!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now here\u2019s Andrew McDermott!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the most frequent questions I get from students in my classes or workshops is: \u201cHow do I loosen up?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, it\u2019s a good question, and funnily enough, I\u2019ve never had that problem. In fact, I had to practise how to get more details and to have tighter areas. Why do I paint loosely?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It started when I was young. I recall looking at my first paintings as a child. I remember seeing Monet\u2019s work and noticing that it wasn\u2019t a photo. I noticed colour smudges everywhere, yet they still created a scene. That was my spark into the world of art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andrew McDermott, “Looking Back,” 2023, pastel on UART Dark, 16 x 12 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Here are some points you can think about if you want to loosen up a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Drawing and\/or painting from life is key to becoming a better artist, illustrator, and\/or animator. To me, it\u2019s a fundamental experience that often gets overlooked by some people. It\u2019s like not knowing the words of a song before you sing. In working from life, you simplify and edit out many elements of detail. This work is actually beneficial for the rest of your work. Control details retaining them for certain areas of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andrew McDermott, “Patiently Waiting,” 2022, pastel on UART Dark, 16 x 12 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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2. Drawing and<\/em> painting can be easily mixed and combined in artworks. By shape massing and working from large shapes to smaller details, you will have the freedom to move things around at any point. Resist outlining your subject. Drawing with linework is fine. However it can be restricting and you may, at moments, need to paint outside your lines. By just blocking in areas of colour, you can easily interplay backgrounds and foregrounds, creating defined and undefined borders. Painting your pastel paintings upside down can help you see the shapes more clearly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Andrew<\/a>
Andrew McDermott, “Hotel Vancouver at Night,” 2023, pastel on UART Dark, 12 x 16 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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3. Quick-timed sketches help you to think of the overall composition and colour scheme of the painting and help keep your coloured sketches fresh. Give yourself 10 to 20-minute time limits for a small study. This will help you to not overwork your pastel piece. Sketches don\u2019t need to be done before your pastel painting. If you get stuck halfway through your painting process, or even when trying to finish a painting, then stop. Take a break and create a small sketch. It may help you move forward with your work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andrew McDermott, “Afternoon on the Westcoast,” 2023, pastel on La Carte, 8 1\/2 x 15 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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4. Try and create textures. I have experimented and found if I use a comb to scrape into my pastel paintings, it will break up my edges and create visual movement. The tool I love at the moment is a rubber modelling triangle<\/a>. It has three sides with a fine, medium, and coarse tooth edge. This gives me a wide option of fine to course textures depending on the area of the painting. For example, with reflections I can use a coarse texture while for the sky, I might use a fine tooth. Following the contour and using directional strokes can show action and movement even when used over vibrant or more mundane colours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Andrew McDermott, “Broadway and Ash Lights,” 2022, pastel on UART Dark, 14 x 11 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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5. Continually underworking your painting is helpful to maintain a loose painterly look. When I pastel or paint, I always underwork meaning I don\u2019t finish off areas right away. Stopping before you think you\u2019re finished will prevent you from the obvious overworking of areas. You can then add the details to the specific areas you wish to focus on as you work to guide the viewers\u2019 eye around your scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Andrew<\/a>
Andrew McDermott, “Red Roof,” 2023, pastel on UART Dark, 16 x 16 inches<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Other ways to loosen up:<\/p>\n\n\n\n