Art processes

"I really like your writing style...the way you express your thoughts. And of course your art is awesome."
Mike S.

Oh, Those Curls!

That was my thought when a potential customer contacted me to see if I would be interested in drawing a portrait commission of her...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jan 8, 2021

How did you get here from there?

Step by step process from a very abstract sketch, to a realistic pastel painting. And the entertaining responses of my followers.

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jun 2, 2020

Birth of a Wave

A step by step demonstration of how I draw an ocean wave, capturing the color, transparency, motion and wetness using pastel.

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jul 8, 2019

When is 3/4 better than full?

When choosing a portrait pose, why I almost always go with a 3/4 view. Don't know what a 3/4 view is? Read on...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jun 11, 2019

Where Do I Begin? A Japanese Influence

Every painting has its starting point. For me, a ‘notan’ sketch is a technique that leads to my most successful work. So, what is a...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jan 6, 2018

Sunset after sunset, what am I learning?

There are many artists out there that have taken on a 'painting-a-day' challenge. ...this concept seemed more like torture that ben

Susan Klinger, Artist

Oct 13, 2017

History is on my side

I have the good fortune to live an easy driving distance from quite a few excellent art museums. I am not one to attend every museum or...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Apr 24, 2017

How does a painting evolve?

Just as in music, all the 'notes' must come together for a successful painting. Follow along in the evolution of a pastel painting f

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jan 15, 2017

What, oh what, is the YUK stage?

Hopefully that title has you just a bit curious! As some of you might know, I spent 34 years teaching art to very talented high school...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jan 1, 2017

What the heck is gouache??

I get asked this question EVERY time I exhibit a gouache painting...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Oct 28, 2016

Time to revisit an old friend

This art journey has some surprising twists and turns. I started out my artist life painting in watercolor. Through a series of events...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Sep 14, 2016

Is it a drawing or a painting?

This is a question that gets asked frequently of pastel artists. Pastel is a dry medium, just like charcoal or pencil (more commonly...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Aug 31, 2016

The Artist's Sketchbook

The artist’s sketchbook. After the initial idea is hatched, it is the starting point for many works of art, so it seemed an appropriate...

Susan Klinger, Artist

Jul 3, 2016

"I really like your writing style...the way you express your thoughts. And of course your art is awesome." Mike S.

Oh, Those Curls!

How did you get here from there?

Birth of a Wave

When is 3/4 better than full?

Where Do I Begin? A Japanese Influence

Sunset after sunset, what am I learning?

History is on my side

How does a painting evolve?

What, oh what, is the YUK stage?

What the heck is gouache??

Time to revisit an old friend

Is it a drawing or a painting?

The Artist's Sketchbook

"I really like your writing style...the way you express your thoughts. And of course your art is awesome."
Mike S.