Karen Christiansen - Tuesday Afternoons 1:30 - 4:30 pm - Soft Pastels

$600.00

This 10-week course runs from 29 April - 1 July.

Explore the wonderful medium of soft pastels! Each 3-hour lesson will involve introducing a concept, a demonstration of a technique, and then completion of an exercise, study or painting during the class, with Karen’s personal feedback. The final weeks of term give students opportunity to paint from their own reference photo.

Topics include:

  • Know your pastels – characteristics, application, types, brands, fixatives, framing, storage, organising, safety, blending and layering methods

  • Know your supports – characteristics, and advantages of different supports and papers, including using dark papers and pastel primers

  • Choosing a subject – what to look for to achieve good composition, mapping shapes by creating thumbnails as a thinking/planning tool

  • Value does the work – understanding value; using a value chart, drawing in value masses and how to identify the value of a pastel

  • Underpainting 1 - Monochromatic using a single pastel

  • Underpainting 2 - Monochromatic using 4 pastels

  • Colour gets the credit – Colour theory, choosing colours, mixing colours, limited palettes

  • Underpainting 3 – Complementary underpainting

  • Getting Edgy – The importance of edges in leading the eye, creating contrast, focus and interest

  • The Finish line – how to know when your painting is finished

This 10-week course runs from 29 April - 1 July.

Explore the wonderful medium of soft pastels! Each 3-hour lesson will involve introducing a concept, a demonstration of a technique, and then completion of an exercise, study or painting during the class, with Karen’s personal feedback. The final weeks of term give students opportunity to paint from their own reference photo.

Topics include:

  • Know your pastels – characteristics, application, types, brands, fixatives, framing, storage, organising, safety, blending and layering methods

  • Know your supports – characteristics, and advantages of different supports and papers, including using dark papers and pastel primers

  • Choosing a subject – what to look for to achieve good composition, mapping shapes by creating thumbnails as a thinking/planning tool

  • Value does the work – understanding value; using a value chart, drawing in value masses and how to identify the value of a pastel

  • Underpainting 1 - Monochromatic using a single pastel

  • Underpainting 2 - Monochromatic using 4 pastels

  • Colour gets the credit – Colour theory, choosing colours, mixing colours, limited palettes

  • Underpainting 3 – Complementary underpainting

  • Getting Edgy – The importance of edges in leading the eye, creating contrast, focus and interest

  • The Finish line – how to know when your painting is finished

Materials List:

Below is a suggested list. Bring what you already have and add to your kit over time. The most important items to invest in are artist quality soft pastels and pastel papers.

  • Willow charcoal sticks – thin and medium thickness

  • 2B or 4B pencil and sharpener

  • Putty eraser

  • Paper towel and wet wipes

  • Masking tape (about 25mm width). Scotch delicate surface (purple) is good.

  • A5 Sketchbook (any brand is fine)

  • Notebook for taking notes

  • Apron, gloves (optional)

  • Art Spectrum Colourfix papers (medium/original) – 23x30cm sheets either purchased singly or in a rainbow pad. Minimum of 3 white sheets, plus Aubergine, Australian Grey, Fresh Grey, Sand. Other colours may be required during the term. https://www.artshedbrisbane.com.au/collections/paper-pastel-paper/products/art-spectrum-colourfix-original-paper-340g-1

  • 2 sheets of 24x32cm Claire Fontaine pastelmat (white) https://www.artshedbrisbane.com.au/collections/paper-pastel-paper/products/pastelmat-paper-360gsm

  • 1-2 sheets of glassine paper to transport pastel paintings

  • Rubbing alcohol and small empty jar

  •  Cheap, flat No. 8 or 10 paint brush

  • Backing board (ply, mdf or gatorboard) – Approximately A3 size

  • 2-4 Bulldog clips

  • A few Pastel pencils (optional). Softer brands include Bruynzeel, Conte,

CaranD’Ache

Basic pastel sets are available to hire for $12/lesson