27 January, 2012

Henri Roche Pastels

A little box has arrived from Paris, France.

12 Half Sticks Discovery Set plus 3 Sticks.

My report is forthcoming. I'll be in the studio till then.

24 comments:

Lou Gagnon said...: Enjoy them. Their potent and will last longer than you may imagine. Down the road you might try the set of 9 Ara Violets. Fantastic!

Also, have you seen the Hockney DVD A Bigger Picture? I ask because of the Hockney interview link you posted.; January 27, 2012 at 2:16 PM
Lisa Rydin Erickson said...: wow, they look really nice, can't wait to hear comments about them; January 27, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Hi, Lou! No, I haven't seen the DVD, but it will be on my list, now that you recommend it.

The violets sound great, as do the darks.; January 27, 2012 at 3:31 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Lisa, I will review them, soon.; January 27, 2012 at 3:31 PM
linda richichi said...: Tried signing up for workshop. Got an email back and then couldn't find itIf any spots for 17.18
Let me know.; January 27, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Sara Mathewson said...: of course I knew this is what you were talking about when you said you got a little box from Paris. Can't wait to hear what you have to say about them. Just curious, why did you go through the Roche company and not fineartamerica.com? More choices? How exciting for you. i didn't know they had half stick sets either!

Have fun!; January 27, 2012 at 7:16 PM
Celeste Bergin said...: I love your artful photos of pastels...these look very special!; January 27, 2012 at 8:07 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Linda, I am e-mailing Julie, who is coordinating all of the students. I'll see if she has your e-mail, but she's also found via my Facebook.; January 27, 2012 at 8:46 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Hi, Celeste. These pastels are the Faberge egg in your china cabinet, and the Ferrari in your garage. Twice as spendy as the others, but oh so sweet.; January 27, 2012 at 8:48 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Sara: Isabelle & I have been talking by e-mail, and this is the set I wanted.

I did use them a little today, but my day was short due to kiddie activities. They are very, very nice. Better report to come.; January 27, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Brenda Boylan said...: Oooh, delicious color! Too bad they don't taste very good on the palate though. Whatever will you do with them at the easel? Let's see!; January 27, 2012 at 9:43 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Palette and easel, Brenda? Instead of using them, I will place them on the mantel and light a candle.

Just kidding. I'm happy to finally get my hands on some of these.

h/t to Sarah P. for her candle line.; January 27, 2012 at 10:01 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow! Lucky, lucky you......So long as you are not to scared to use them (lol)......The Rolls Royce of pastels!; January 27, 2012 at 10:17 PM
Sonya Johnson said...: Just as I suspected - very cool, Casey. I look forward to seeing them in your next painting and a report:).

I'd also be interested to hear how you went about choosing the specific colors, because a) they have an amazing selection to choose from; b) you want to really make your purchase count.

Love that they have a half-stick set. Not that I could afford that, either, but it's good to know.; January 28, 2012 at 8:47 AM
Casey Klahn said...: Maggie! I am lucky, and that is a funny analogy. Like the Rolls Royce owner, I just want to be seen in the car. Never mind driving it!

In the army, we had "Footlocker Queens," which were uniform pieces that were too new and nice to wear to the field.; January 28, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Casey Klahn said...: Sonya - I couldn't fool you!; January 28, 2012 at 8:57 AM
Casey Klahn said...: I don't think that orders can be made to Paris, though, unless you have a retail agreement. Buy these from Rochester or from Cambridge, Ontario (Pastels Canada).

More on that in my reports.; January 28, 2012 at 8:59 AM
Jeanette Jobson said...: Lucky you. I love the history behind them and the care with which they are created.

It will be a treat to use them I'm sure.; January 28, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Casey Klahn said...: Thanks, Jeanette.; January 28, 2012 at 7:52 PM
Sara Mathewson said...: Well the problem with buying them from Rochester is their limited supply of them. for instance they do not have the half sticks which I am drooling over. I think they have open stock but not sure. i see they have the elements ones in the wood boxes which are nice but i want to pay for pastels and not wood boxes especially when it comes to these pastels! I can't wait to hear your review of them!; February 4, 2012 at 11:06 AM
Casey Klahn said...: Since I have been badly under the weather this week, I have been in the studio daily, but pics and how I feel about the art will have to wait. Actually, I have made some very nice works. I want to couple one with my review.

I am a fan of the Henri Roche pastels. Very tremendous in things that I love. They match my pastel personality, if you will. I did break one half stick on non-sanded paper, which was a surprise. No problem with that, however. I am keeping these sorted separately from my big palette. Secret weapons, so to speak.

I imagine she wants the half sticks as sets to introduce you to them, and then open stock as the standard thing.

I have my eye on the Fawn Browns.; February 4, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Sara Mathewson said...: Sorry that you have been feeling sick Casey. i did just have a look at the Rochester store and I was mistaken. they do have more 12 stick sets and also some half stick sets though not the one you bought. they have the blues and violets one. and of course open stock. i spent a good long time looking through them. i'm drooling and was planning in my head which ones I would buy first! LOL! then I came down to earth:) I still look forward to your observations about these lovely pastels. I'd be interested to know how much dust they produce, and what kind of texture they have. there are so many good handmade pastels these days that are heavily pigment loaded so for me to justify a purchase they would really have to go above and beyond what is already out there.

Still, I may purchase a few to try them for myself. A few would hardly break the bank! I'm excited to hear all about them when you feel better. take care of yourself!

sara; February 4, 2012 at 3:19 PM
Sara Mathewson said...: Oh and I have my eye on the Iris Purples--yummy! gotta have my purples! LOL!; February 4, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Casey Klahn said...: I think I have more purple or violet sticks than almost any other color. And, my nearest goal is to go into the basement and make a series of my own clear grays. I saw the sets at Mt Vision, and said, I can make that myself!; February 4, 2012 at 4:31 PM