Astrid Volquardsen | pastellbilder

After all this snow the thaw set in and guess what: there was fog all over again. Right know I’m thinking of doing small fog studies with some light sources.

Nebelstudie, Pastell, 17×27cm

As a pastel artist who is working on a sanded surface, the health issue is constantly on my mind. The dustexposure can’t be ignored and I always used small air filters in my old studio. My studio is much bigger now, hence it was time for a new air filter.

I bought a really nice one from Artist Air, which was specially designed for pastel artists.
The easel collection unit stays on the easel tray, so a big amount of pasteldust goes right into it:

With a velcro strap the collection unit is easaly secured and holds it in place, but does not hinder you from sliding the easel tray up and down. After the first day in my studio I could tell the difference.

Foto
2010 © Astrid Volquardsen

Unfortunately the filter is sold only in North America, but I had no problems with ordering, shipping etc. Everything arrived in good order and condition.
Surprisingly the manufactorers had adjusted the filter to the German power network (230V, 50Hz).

We’ve got loads of snow this Winter and loads of fog. Unfortunaltely the sun hardly shows up to dip the scenery in this beautifully blueish purple pigment. So I have to stay with the fog. It’s more interesting in the twilight, rather than during the day, when its only grey, grey… you know it. So, I’m back to my small studies, trying to catch the feeling and color of the place. I do struggle and think to do some Notans to get a better understanding of the compositorial possibilities, because the value range is so limited.

Winternebel II, 12×12cm,
2010 © Astrid Volquardsen

Winternebel III, 12×21cm,
2010© Astrid Volquardsen

The studio is diveded by a big shelf, which I use for the storage of my frames, framing material etc. The bubble wrap prevents it from dusting.Now, I want to open up my studio for you, so you can have a look. We moved this summer and my studio is much bigger than my old one. This feels really nice, because it offers various advantages. First off all, I can lay out all my pastels.

2009 © Astrid Volquardsen

The studio is diveded by a big shelf, which I use for the storage of my frames, framing material etc. The bubble wrap prevents it from dusting.
Because my studio is now in the basement, I need really good light sources and use the »True Light« bubbles. They work really, really well.

I have now a comfy armchair to lean back and look at my paintings. Well, I love that!

On the wall you can see my pastel chart. This way I can always find out the pastel numbers etc., if just one tiny piece is left. I hate it, if I can’t find or buy the colors I used. And I don’t get to nervous, if my work space get messed up.

It’s nice to hang a mirror on the wall behind my easel. I only need to turn around for a checkup now.

The great american pastel artist Margaret Dyer is coming to France!
She will be conducting a workshop about figurative painting. It will take place in May/June 2010 just 60 miles southeast of Paris.
So, if you don’t want to go all the way to the USA in order to learn from a great Master Pastelist this is your chance.
For detailed information click here.

Sharing a book
©Margaret Dyer

Blue robe
©Margaret Dyer