NuPastel Light-fast Test

 

 

I have completed a 90-day light fast test of NuPastels.  I placed the chart in full sun from January 16 through April 15.  Note that this is not a scientific test, but simply a test for my own use and verification of which colors held, which faded, and how much fade was noticeable.

For my observations I used a number system 0 - 5

0 - no change
1 - slight change in value
2 - significant change in value
3 - slight change in hue and value
4 - significant change in hue and value
5 - complete fade

If you contact me by e-mail, I can send you a complete spreadsheet of my observations.

1	203	0	Burnt Sienna
2	204	0	Sandalwood
3	205	0	Peacock Blue
4	206	1	Carmine Madder
5	207	1	Ceep Chrome Yellow
6	208	0	Sap Green
7	209	0	Warm Grey
8	212	3	Orange
9	213	0	Sanguine
10	214	2	Persian Rose
11	215	0	Turquoise Blue
12	216	3	Maroon
13	217	0	Lemon Yellow
14	218	0	Veronese Green
15	219	0	Warm Medium Gray
16	222	3	Burnt Orange
17	223	0	Burnt Umber
18	224	0	Violet
19	225	0	Iron Blue
20	226	2	Scarlet
21	227	0	Corn Yellow
22	228	0	Hooker's Green
23	229	0	Black
24	233	0	Raw Sienna
25	234	1	Red Vilet
26	235	0	Light Blue
27	236	3	Carmine
28	238	0	Emerald Green
29	239	0	Warm Light Ggey
30	243	0	Light Ochre
31	244	1	Blue Violet
32	245	1	Light Turquoise Blue
33	246	3	Rose Pink
34	247	0	Light Naples Yellow
35	248	0	Olive Green
36	249	0	Warm Very Light Grey
37	255	0	Azure Blue
38	254	1	Hyacinth Violet
39	256	2	Crimson
40	257	0	Deep Cadmium Yellow
41	258	0	Viridian Green
42	259	0	Cood Deep Grey
43	263	0	Indian Red
44	265	0	Ultramarine Blue
45	266	4	Pale Vermillion
46	267	0	Colonial Yellow
47	268	0	Light Sap Green
48	273	0	Tuscan Red
49	275	0	Deep Blue
50	276	1	Flesh Pink
51	277	0	Ivory
52	278	0	Dark Green
53	279	0	Cool Medium Grey
54	283	0	Van Dyke Brown
55	285	0	Indigo Blue
56	286	5	Madder Pink
57	288	1	Pistachio Green
58	289	0	Cool Light Grey
59	293	0	Sepia
60	295	0	Prussian Blue
61	296	4	Salmon Pink
62	298	0	Bottle Green
63	299	0	Cool Very Light Grey
64	304	2	Orchid
65	305	0	Spruce Blue
66	306	4	Orchid Pink
67	308	0	Palm Green
68	313	0	Nut Brown
69	314	4	Old Lilac
70	316	2	Old Rose
71	318	0	Citrine Green
72	324	0	Plum
73	333	0	Titan Brown
74	336	3	Carnival Red
75	343	0	Rust
76	345	0	Harbor Blue
77	346	1	Burgundy
78	348	0	Endive
79	353	0	Cordovan
80	355	0	Cocoa Brown
81	363	0	Garnet
82	365	0	Ceylon Blue
83	366	2	Shell Pink
84	368	0	Smoke Green
85	376	1	Peach
86	378	0	Erin Green
87	383	0	Coral
88	405	0	Blue Haze
89	406	3	Flamingo
90	408	0	Fern Gren
91	415	0	Tile Blue
92	416	1	Cark Rose
93	418	0	Neptuen Green
94	428	0	Beech Green
95	448	0	Eden Green
96
Legend - numbers 0-5
0- No change
1- Some Change in Value
2- Significant Change in Value
3- Some Change in Hue and Value
4- Significant Change in Hue and Value
5- Complete Fade in Hue and Value

Kathleen Galligan Workshop

"Intradune Marsh" - 12x9 - Day 1

 

I chose this view because of the contrast in linearity between the oaks and cedar in the foreground that show their bulk and roundness, the intradune marsh with is generally flat and horizontal, and the dunes in the distance which offered the horizontal with variations.  From where I had to stand, there was a large sign blocking more than half of the left side of the scene, so I had to walk a few steps forward to be able to see the image I was trying to paint.  I widened the path and removed some of the shrubs to give a view of the marsh and dunes.

"Cloud Divergence" - 12x9 - Day 2, Number 1

 

Day 2 was very windy and the clouds constantly built and broke apart as they marched across the sky.  In order to create the sense of vastness and movement in the clouds, I had to minimize the land and lower the horizon.  I kept in the few scrubby trees as a focal point, and added the sunlight on the marsh grass for and accent.

"End of Day" - 12x9 - Day 2, Number 2

 

Later in the day, I had time to start another painting.  I was drawn to this clump of trees on the edge of the salt marsh.  This was an interesting mixture of varieties of live oak trees - most of them were losing their leaves and getting new growth, but one in the center held its old leaves providing a dark background to the open branches of the other trees.  I did not get a chance to finish the foreground and add a suitable transition from the small grove to the grasses in front.

"Staying Put - Low Tide" - 12x9 - Day 3

 

For the final day, we worked under the constant threat of rain.  The overcast broke from time to time giving sunlight and broken shadows on the marina.  The tide was low and going out further when I started this painting.  The first thing I did was sketch the basic masses of the cord grass and put in the water the was left.  When I finished this foreground and middle ground were reduced to broad mud flats. 

This painting is about contrasts.  I wanted to show a contrast to the organic shapes of the grass and the straight line of the bridge and boat masts in the background.  I emphasized the contrast in colors between the light lavender of the sky, and water, the deep purple on the sandy mud, and red/brown of the grass.

"Perfectly Balanced, Job 37:16"

Pastel on sanded Arches, 21x14

In this painting, I have tried to capture the scene of clouds rolling in over the salt marsh.  When I did the preliminary work for this painting, a front was moving in as the tide was going out.  Late in the day, the clouds were suffused with color, and that color is reflected in the wet sand and mud left by the retreating tide.

 Though the clouds were laden with the coming rain, they charged across the sky holding their weight in perfect balance.