Adding the glow

In today's first post, Stephanie Blaylock showed us how to lay down a smooth base coat with pastels. In this follow-up, she demonstrates using acrylic washes to add depth and vibrancy to her finishwork. 

Adding the Glow

by Stephanie Blaylock

A friend asked about how I get a chestnut “glow” with pastels. The glow comes from acrylic washes (paint and FolkArt blending gel) applied over Mr Super Clear Matte sealer. These also help smooth out any pastel graininess.

My chestnut mix has pretty much always been this. Sometimes I add ivory to the raw sienna.

The metallic gold is the one for glass, and it’s glossy. Mixed with matte acrylic in *moderation* it makes a nice glow!

Everything is thinned with blending gel. I never paint without it!

This is only pastels. I like this look, but sometimes I want more..more glow, more pop, more color.

Here's the same horse after acrylic washes and then sealed with matte sealer.

Check out that glow!

As always, Stephanie, thank you, thank you, thank you!