Sale on canvas prints! Use code ABCXYZ at checkout for a special discount!

Previous Image

|

Next Image
Roman Apartments - Pastel Pastel by Ben Kotyuk

Comments (19)

Laurel Adams

Laurel Adams

Mafalda…this is so FABULOUS,…v..best to you!..LF…gorgeous work.

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Laurel, thank you for your comment, Like and Favorite. Ben

Mafalda Cento

Mafalda Cento

Ben, what a privilege it is to glance through your portfolio. Your work is outstanding. I have so many favorites. However, I chose to ponder on this one in particular, because it brings me back to my city. I relate to the texture and the colors. You’re a master in handling the pastels. I wish I was at least twenty years younger because I have so much desire to learn and explore this medium. Thank you for inspiring this fan.

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Mafalda, First off, you’re never too old to do anything. If you really want to. I spent my design career drawing for other people. I was lucky I was able to retire at 55 and when I did I took a six year break from drawing. I didn’t put pen to paper. I did other things. I was 61 when I started to “play” with pastel. My advice would be not to try to do a masterpiece. If it’s not looking the way you want, dump it! Keep it “easy breezy “ as they say. Have fun. One day it will all come together. P.S. If I remember correctly I did this painting over at least four times.

Paul Boizot

Paul Boizot

Very nice. Voted in the Favourite Vacation destination contest.

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Thank you Paul for your comment and vote. Ben

Katrina Gunn

Katrina Gunn

Lovely use of color - looks like the do-overs were worth it

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Katrina, Thank you for your comment. It was a good early learning experience, I was lucky.

Patricia Hiltz

Patricia Hiltz

Beautiful, love the detail. V/F

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Thank you Patricia for the vote, favorite and comment. Ben

Alla Savinkov

Alla Savinkov

Amazing work! L/F

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Alla, thank you for your comment, L and F. Ben

David Beard

David Beard

Beautiful work! You captured the textures and shadows so well!

Ben Kotyuk replied:

David, Thank you for the very insightful comment. Ben

Karina Plachetka

Karina Plachetka

Like this work.

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Thank you Karina for your comment. Ben

Georgia Mizuleva

Georgia Mizuleva

Marvelous work.

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Georgia, Thank you very much for your kind comment. Ben

Natasha Denger

Natasha Denger

Ben, I am the same way, I love to work at details, but I am trying to loosen up sometimes. I think 90% of my work fully detailed, and nothing I can do about that, I love details. Regards, Natasha

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Natasha, I think a big part of why I like detail is the time and effort it takes. When I set up to paint I don’t want it to go too quickly. When I was working there was always the pressure of a deadline. Now I can take my time and work in a relaxed manner. I still work the painting in a straight line. I guess it’s an old habit. Detail takes time and that’s a good thing. Regards, Ben

Natasha Denger

Natasha Denger

Love this work! fav+

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Natasha, Thank you for your favorite and comment. I am also a fan of more traditional art. I went to pastel to loosen up, but I keep coming back to the detail, maybe that is just how I like to see things. Ben

Danuta Bennett

Danuta Bennett

Truly amazing piece! VF

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Danuta, I always had a fascination for things accent, the mere fact that they are still standing, I find amazing. Thank you for your vote and favorite!

Hanne Lore Koehler

Hanne Lore Koehler

Wonderful work, Ben!! Love the stunning contrast of warm sand tones against the blue sky! Your railing detail is marvelous! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. v/f

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Thank you Hanne, for your vote, favorite and comment. I did the railing last, they made me a nervous wreck. Fine lines with pastels are not easy, a sharp edge gets wider instantly, pastel pencils in this case do more to remove color than put it down. I thought for sure I would ruin the painting. Finally I decided to just press the edge of a soft stick pastel against the paper in very tiny movements. There is actually more than one color on those rails. When I finished I was grateful I didn't wreck the painting, but I felt like I wanted to pass out. No fine railings since!

Karen McDonald

Karen McDonald

This work is tremendous, just like I remembered them while touring through Rome. Excellent and favorited

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Karen, Rome is one of my favorite cities, I've been there many, many, many times. Thank you for the favorite!

Pamela Pretty

Pamela Pretty

fantastic painting-wonderful composition!

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Pamela, Thank you again for comment. Rome is such an amazing city, everything seems like a real life painting.

Sandra Phryce-Jones

Sandra Phryce-Jones

Love the build up with colour........wonderful light

Ben Kotyuk replied:

It took work to make me happy, this was my third try. Thanks Sandra for your comment!

Graciela Scarlatto

Graciela Scarlatto

Ben, all your work is amazing. You have a great talent!

Ben Kotyuk replied:

Thank you Graclela, you made me turn the color of your apples!

Recently Viewed

Roman Apartments - Pastel by Ben Kotyuk
Previous Image Next Image