CASCADE - Creative Arts School for Children and Adults Deserving Excellence. Our objectives are to share ARTS, and democratize art education by providing free or affordable knowledge resource on this field.
As I approach my 50th birthday—a milestone I lovingly refer to as my "golden age"—I reflect on the journey that has brought me here. While I may still feel like the young Rose you’ve always known, my body gently reminds me that time is moving swiftly, much like the vibrant hues of a sunset I’ve grown to cherish.
Over the years, God has blessed me with talents that have fueled my passions for writing and art. Painting has become my sanctuary, a refuge during moments of fatigue, stress, or loneliness. Even in my happiest times, it is through my creativity that I find solace and expression.
To celebrate this significant milestone, I am thrilled to announce that I will be hosting my first solo art exhibit! It’s a brave step for me, and I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of friends and fellow artists who have walked alongside me on this journey. A special thank you goes to Ms. Gem Blanco for graciously opening the doors of The Blanco Art Gallery to host this special occasion.
The Blanco Art Gallery is not just a venue but a prestigious institution known for its commitment to showcasing the rich tapestry of local and international artistry. With its historical significance in the heart of the City of Arts, Angono, Rizal, the gallery has long been a sanctuary for artists and art lovers alike. Its walls have celebrated countless exhibitions, fostering a vibrant community that inspires creativity and connection. I am honored to be part of this legacy, and I cannot think of a better place to share my work.
The exhibit will run from October 15 to November 30, but I would love for you to join me for the opening ceremony on October 20, 2024, at 3 p.m. at The Blanco Art Gallery. I will showcase a collection of both my older and newer works, offering a glimpse into the evolution of my artistic journey. While I’m still discovering my true artistic voice, I hope to share the direction it is leading me in.
Your presence would mean the world to me on this special day. Instead of gifts, I would greatly appreciate your support in other ways—perhaps by bringing extra food or helping to introduce my work to fellow art enthusiasts who might be interested in purchasing a piece.
Thank you for the love and support you’ve shown me throughout the years. I hope you’ll be part of this meaningful celebration as I take this exciting step forward in my artistic journey. I can’t wait to share this experience with you!
One of my greatest challenges as an aspiring artist is to find time, space, and inspiration to paint. My job takes me to many places and demands a lot of thought to address the needs of my consultancy job. However, as my first love, I find comfort in painting, and I still do my best to explore this borrowed gift. I want to grow and become a professional artist. I paint to express my thoughts and feelings. It is also my way of sharing the talent I believe God has lent me. So, instead of giving up on painting, and as I also have a passion for writing, traveling, and teaching, I decided to bring my art with me. To do that, I need my art materials to travel along with me.
My current mediums are acrylic paint and oil paint. However, bringing a canvas, brushes, and tubes of paints is not always convenient. I learned that oil pastels can be a good medium for producing vibrant paintings. I remember that my first sold painting was done in a hotel way back in 2012. It was my Moon River freehand drawing, which was seen by my fellow consultant, "Ate Kathy." When she saw my drawing, she offered to buy it. I initially offered it as a gift, but she insisted on purchasing it, telling me that it would be the first of many paintings I would sell. She was right! If I count my sold paintings, I can say I have sold more than 30 artworks already, including 10 large paintings, 17 portraits, 7 hand-painted bags, 4 commissioned works, and a few others I cannot remember. I sold Moon River for just PhP 800.00, which included the cost of framing, and the highest price I've sold a painting for is PhP 27,000.00. Though I don't have a regular income flow from art, it's a promising activity that will help me continue with it until I retire.
Title: Heartstring, oil pastel on Canson paper (sold)
Title: The Reader Series 2, oil pastel on canvas panel
Title: My Moon River, oil pastel on drawing paper
Our First Step to Unlearning and Relearning with Oil Pastels Regarding oil pastel painting, I admit I still don’t know much about how to use it. I need to understand and connect with this new medium. So, to make it fun for me and helpful for those who wish to learn about art, come along with me on my journey as I study Oil Pastel Painting. I will share videos and reading lessons in my blog. All I ask is that you share your output by sending it through my page's messenger and comments and share this with those who would like to learn. LET’S ROAM!!!
LESSON 1 - A Beginner's Guide to Oil Pastels: Exploring the Basics and Techniques
Introduction to Oil Pastels
I like oil pastels because they are a unique and versatile art medium that produces rich, vibrant colors and a smooth application. Unlike soft pastels, oil pastels are made with a non-drying oil and wax binder, giving them a creamy texture ideal for blending. It is important for beginners to understand the differences between oil pastels and soft pastels because each has its distinct properties and uses.
Essential Supplies
When starting with oil pastels, selecting the right supplies is crucial. As beginners, we can choose from various brands, considering their price and color varieties. High-quality brands may be more expensive but provide better color saturation and blend-ability. For practice purposes, we may want to start with cheaper one before investing hard-earned money. It's essential to consider the painting surface along with the pastels themselves. Oil pastels can be used on various surfaces, including canvas, wood, glass, and paper. Experimenting with different surfaces can lead to unique textures and effects. I started with drawing paper, then moved on using Canson paper, and now I also uses canvas.
Basic Techniques
Oil pastels are amazing for exploring different techniques. One of the coolest things you can do is blending, which can be achieved using your fingers, blending stumps, or even oil solvents. It creates smooth color transitions and adds depth to your artwork. Another technique I love is impasto, where you apply thick layers of pastel to create a textured, three-dimensional effect. Also, layering and scratching techniques can add complexity to your piece by building up colors and revealing underlying layers. You may check one of the free lessons I’ve shared using layering of oil pastels in this blog. The possibilities with oil pastels are endless and make the learning process so exciting and rewarding for beginners like me.
Advantages of Oil Pastels
Oil pastels have so many advantages that make them my absolute favorite choice for artwork. I love using them for landscape painting because they blend seamlessly and create such rich, natural tones. Unlike other mediums, oil pastels don't dry out, so I can continuously work on a piece over time without any worries. Plus, they're really easy to clean and I don't need any solvents for cleanup, which makes them so convenient, especially for beginners like me. Another thing I love is that oil pastels are forgiving, so I don't have to be overly precise. I can easily correct mistakes or even incorporate them into the artwork, which gives me the freedom to experiment and be creative without any fear.
Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Oil pastels offer many benefits, but they also present some challenges. One of the main drawbacks is their tendency to smudge, making it tricky to achieve fine details. To tackle this, I can use fixatives to set the pastels in place or adjust my technique to avoid accidental smudging. Another challenge is the difficulty in layering, as the creamy texture can make it hard to apply new layers over existing ones. However, with a light touch and by experimenting with different surfaces, I can build up layers and create depth in my work.
I find oil pastels to be a fun and rewarding medium that provides a wide range of possibilities for both beginners and experienced artists. They are relatively affordable, making art more accessible, and do not require extensive know-how to get started. Although there may be some challenges, such as smudging and layering, I believe that practice and experimentation can help me overcome them. Overall, oil pastels offer a great way for me to explore color, texture, and creativity in my art. Their affordability and ease of use give me the confidence to dive in and start creating.
Here's the video I watched tonight. I'm sharing it because it's not too long, and you'll better understand this medium's characteristics and features. I've also included other reading sources below.
Hello and welcome to my blog! I'm Rose Gob—an expert in Knowledge Management, a seasoned HR and OD practitioner, an artist, and an educator. I've created three blogs to share my passion for creative arts, cooperatives, and the social enterprise industry, with most of my writing focused on my art blog, www.cascadeartstudio.com.
During the pandemic, I filled these spaces with various topics, but now I'm focusing on bringing you more targeted content. I’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, ask questions, and let me know what topics you want to explore.
Thank you for stopping by—your feedback means the world to me. Be sure to check back often, and have a wonderful day!
