Zaanse Schans, back in time

Paper: Pastelmat 30x40cm
Media: PanPastels, Stabilo CarbOthello
Reference: By very kind permission of the very talented and generous Costas Ganasos, thank you!

Now I have to admit to having acquired more art supplies than I have time to use, it seems, and it takes me a while to get around to using them. So it has been forever and a day since I last tried pastels, a year I think, and I really wanted to try something with a beautiful sky to have a go at.

The hunt was on for a suitable subject and I absolutely loved the picture this was based on by Costas. The light he captured looked so pretty, there was a touch of mystery with some mist in the distance obscuring the horizon line and the effect was magical.

Subject selected, out came the large Pastelmat and the PanPastels were dusted off, ready to make a start with cosmetic sponges in hand! They really are a joy to use, so soft and they give such wonderful control when layering... it was fun trying to recreate some of the lighting of the photo. I opted to alter the photo slightly, removing a few elements to open things out and help the viewer ‘walk in’ to the peaceful scene, as well as giving it a sense of stepping back in time. I have visited this beautiful spot but sadly it was raining. This scene is how I prefer to think of it, all the windmills are such a spectacle.

Sky and water completed, it was on to the detail using pastel pencils. Bit by bit, it came together nicely and was a lot of fun to try. Some final balancing, et voila, a sun kissed windmill hopefully for your viewing pleasure!

I actually have more PanPastel on paper than myself this time too, so I must be getting used to working more neatly and I consider it a significant plus not to finish a pastel piece looking like a coal miner!

So there you have it, a slice of history in wonderful PanPastel Technicolor and a scene that I hope you enjoy viewing as much as I did recreating it 😊