Kiersten Powers
Graphic Designer/Artist

For my hands-on project, I chose to use chalk pastels as I already owned them from an art kit I had received and were lying around, not doing much. In addition to the chalk pastels, I did some testing with pastel pencils before deciding on the traditional sticks. During my sketch process, I was having a conversation with a friend who suggested I try to recreate a stained-glass window look. In my search, I found an awesome dragon stained glass window that snowballed into other reference images of dragons that inspired the final design. In my process, I discovered all the differences the paper can make when using the medium, and depending on the paper used, it can have different results. The sketch is on normal sketchbook paper using a graphite pencil in order to get the general idea down on the page. I then had to figure out how to transfer the image from the sketchbook onto my final piece, where I used heavyweight mixed media paper. To transfer the image, I could have used transfer paper that would have made the process smoother, but instead, I only had tracing paper as an option. I used the tracing paper to block out the main areas of the design concept, tracing very carefully and precisely with a darker graphite pencil, flipping the page over, and tracing both sides. When the image was ready to transfer, I made sure to secure the paper down with masking tape so it would not move. I also used both a blue and a red pen so I could tell where I had already gone over. My next step in the process was to play with and test the pastels to see what neat effects I could accomplish. I first tested the color palette/ blending ability of the pastels and pencils. I then remembered, through watching a few YouTube pastel videos, that I can add water with a paintbrush and essentially paint with the medium, moving it around the page. I did my next test playing with how much the paper can hold and how the water painting technique works. After the test piece was complete, I sprayed the image with Mod Podge sealant as a way to preserve the piece for longer. In the end, I opted to use a picture frame for the final. When it was time to work on the final piece, I found that in the process, it was in fact an arm workout; my shoulder would tire out, and I had to take a breather every so often, take a step back, and assess my progress so far. I remember from my drawing class at UNT that when I created my drapery project, the easiest way to work on the image was to separate the image into smaller workable areas. This was not my first attempt at pastels, as I created a piece using oil pastels on canvas in the past, creating a wolf with a cherry blossom tree. The difference this time is the fact that I used chalk pastels over oil pastels, having a difference in consistency. I have always enjoyed traditional artmaking, as my grandmother taught me from a young age how to draw still life. Artmaking to me has always been a calming experience as I can throw on whatever show I'm watching or listen to some music, or take it with me on the go and have a great time. I can essentially learn how to draw anything as long as I have a reference to work from for the general shape/texture. My final design, which I came up with, is a scenic winter landscape complete with seasonal flowers/trees, a momma dragon and baby, accompanied by an aurora borealis nighttime sky. I have elected to name this piece Dragon’s Twilight.