A quick tip for those working in pastels this week…
I just came across this envelope in my studio and had forgotten I used to use this all the time. Nowadays I don’t worry too much about sharpening my pastel pencils to a sharp point. I figure if I am working with line work that small then I am getting too caught up in tiny details. Normally I only use an X-ACTO blade to “block” the end of pencils. Most sharpeners drive me crazy. But sometimes it is nice to be able to take that blunt end and refine it. Not necessarily to a fine point, but to shape it bit.
Here I took a 9 x 11″ envelope and put a sheet of rough sandpaper inside. Then I cut a window on the side to get access to the grit. This works out great because when you run the pastel pencils over the exposed sandpaper the dust “catches” inside the envelope. Voila! Less mess.
Now I have to go clean my floor from dropping sticks.
What a great idea especially for workshops and when traveling!
🙂
yes, then open the envelope and shake over a garbage pail to get rid of the dust.
Thank you.
Everything is an art, or can be, even sharpening pencils. Nice tip!
I still remember Herb Olds showing us how to sharpen a pencil with a utility knife by holding the knife firm and pulling the pencil towards yourself while spinning it. Easy peasy. Then, I was still pushing the knife out and away and it never seemed to work. His method is great for graphite and even most charcoal. Too risky for pastel pencil to survive as it’s more delicate.
I do that with the pencils. they are sturdier than you would think….
Simple yet brilliant. Thanks!
Great idea! I use one of those little boards like a paint stir stick with the sanded paper in it. You can take layers of the paper off. But it does get the pastel everywhere! I’m going to try your idea! Thanks!
🙂