{"id":1415366,"date":"2020-10-20T10:51:44","date_gmt":"2020-10-20T09:51:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/?p=1415366"},"modified":"2026-03-31T15:46:23","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T14:46:23","slug":"emma-colbert-artist-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonsart.com\/blog\/2020\/10\/20\/emma-colbert-artist-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Emma Colbert: Soft Pastel Colour and Technique"},"content":{"rendered":"

Emma Colbert was shortlisted for the Jackson\u2019s Painting Prize<\/a> this year with her work Reflecting on Portrush<\/em>. The painting is a testament to Emma\u2019s passion for colour and incredible skill and understanding of soft pastel techniques which she shares, in detail, through online tutorials. Here, she talks about her favourite grey pastels, her portable studio practice and learning from artists of the past.<\/p>\n

Above image: <\/strong>Dogged Determination<\/em>, 2018, Emma Colbert, Soft pastel on velour, 69 x 41 cm<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Reflecting<\/a>
Reflecting on Portrush<\/em>, 2019
Emma Colbert
Soft pastel on velour, 101.5 x 69 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clare: Can you tell us about your artistic background\/education?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma: I have always enjoyed drawing and painting and gravitated towards these subjects in school along with music and anything else creative. I decided to continue onto university and study illustration in Kent, England. But I realised the illustration world was not for me and always wished I had studied fine art instead. Luckily your degree, or even lack of, doesn’t always matter in the art world as you often make your own path in the end.<\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a><\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a><\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a>
Work in progress: Reflecting on Portrush<\/em>, 2019
Emma Colbert
Soft pastel on velour, 101.5 x 69 cm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clare: Where does a painting begin for you? Can you take us through your process?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Emma: Most of the time a painting will start with editing photo reference. Whether it’s for my own painting, or a portrait for a client it usually starts by cropping and playing with photo reference. Once I have decided on the composition, I’ll sketch myself an outline, either free hand or using a grid. I then transfer my outline onto the pastel paper I’ve chosen to work on. Once I get to this stage that’s where the fun really starts for me. Colour! Now I use the soft pastel sticks to build up thin layers of colour working predominantly from dark to light. I start with larger marks and blocking in, progressing to more detail. I also use some pastel pencils for smaller details.<\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"WIP<\/a><\/p>\n