# Rediscovering Exciting Forms in Pastel and Mark Making

- Link: https://www.reekersart.com/rediscovering-exciting-forms-in-pastel-and-mark-making/
- Published: 2025-05-22T00:47:11+00:00
- Author: reekersart

In **Part 8** of my _How to Create a Bonsai Artwork in Mixed Media_ series, we move
from destruction to reconstruction. After intentionally breaking down the image 
in Part 7—a moment I call “Loss”—this chapter begins the delicate act of **Gaining**
it back.

The tree, a **Goyomatsu (White Pine)**, begins to reemerge through the tactile medium
of **pastel**. But first, I sketch a structural guide with **Conte Crayon**, which
helps lay the foundation for proportion and gesture. From there, I use dark pastel
tones to define shadows and shape the **negative space**, slowly breathing life 
back into the bonsai form.

This is not just about technique—it’s about creative intuition. I intentionally 
step back and review how far the image has evolved from its origins: a reference
photo and an earlier pastel study. That gap, that transformation, is where true 
creativity lives.

From roots (**nebari**) to canopy, and even the **moss at the base**, I explore 
how warm and cool tones play off each other, subtly anchoring the tree into its 
imagined world.

This part also came with **technical hiccups**: sound issues, focus problems, and
my head blocking the shot more than once. I offer a sincere apology—but also an 
honest acknowledgment that I’m still learning to be a better videographer and editor.

Despite these imperfections, the spirit of the work remains strong. I continue to
mark the **background stencil** and draw out the **branching**, preparing the piece
for the next phase. Part 9 will involve **fixing the pastel** and **dialing in the
motif** with acrylic paint.

### 🔍 Highlights & Takeaways:

 * Rediscovering the bonsai form through pastel drawing
 * Importance of contour and negative space in composition
 * Warm vs. cool color interactions in foliage and moss
 * Creative distance from source as a tool for intuition
 * Honest reflection on the challenges of video-making

🎥 **Watch Part 8 here:** [https://youtu.be/enLV-T8Amr8](https://youtu.be/enLV-T8Amr8)

📷 **Follow along behind the scenes on Instagram:** [@ronreekers](https://www.instagram.com/ronreekers)

📖 **Haven’t seen Part 7 yet? Read the full blog **[http://www.reekersart.com/dynamic-loss-and-gain-how-to-use-monoprint-techniques-in-mixed-media-art/](http://www.reekersart.com/dynamic-loss-and-gain-how-to-use-monoprint-techniques-in-mixed-media-art/)

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As always, thank you for being part of this journey. Each part of this series is
more than a tutorial—it’s a window into a living, evolving creative process. I hope
it inspires your own.