Step 1: Your design
Plot the shape of the pear onto the paper using a light colour like yellow. As you’re blending it’s okay to press quite firmly with the pastels. Add some shading in a darker tone of yellow and orange, colouring over almost the entire shape. Then add some red to accent the curves.
Step 2: Blending colours
With a paper stump, start to blend in the pastel tones together, pressing firmly. Tip: To make the pastels blend easily, you can heat them on the page with a hair dryer.
Step 3: Highlights
Once the colours are blended together you can go back over the highlight points and add some extra depth with the pastels. Adding deep red to the outline of the pear will help to bring out the shape. Blend again with the paper stump.
Step 4: Cool colours
Add some purple to contrast the colours and bring out the shadows and continue to blend with the paper stump. Then add a background colour like blue. Using cool colours on the outside helps to bring out the warm colours from the centre.
Step 5: Outline
For the finishing touch, take some Koh-I-Noor ink and outline the shaded side of the pear.
Step 6: Time for paint
Then with the white acrylic paint, outline the light side of the pear and using the paper stump, use small strokes to flick the paint away from the form. The effect is striking and unique.
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