Introduction to Pastels
February 11 & 12
1 - 4 p.m. each day
in Bastrop, Texas
It will be a small class of only 5 because we are holding it in a friend's studio. I plan to do a short demo each day and to discuss and show how to use the different papers and pastels. We will do an under painting and try painting different objects from life in different ways. No nudes unless you want to come model, ha. I am including a small set of Rembrandts and some of the different pastel papers and a small Pastelbord. I think it will be fun. This friend has been wanting me to have a class for a few years, so I'm taking the plunge.
I'm asking the students to give me one item/question that they would like me to address. They are experienced painters in other media. I'm pretty sure that trying the different papers and discussing how they work, technique, storage, framing, etc., should easily fill the time. Do you know of something really important that I haven't mentioned that should be in an introduction to pastels?
I have given a few demos at club meetings and like to talk when I am painting in a group, so I am confident of that part. I will learn a lot from "teaching". Don't you find that true? Questions make you think about why you do things the way you do.
Potted Reds
Pastel, 8 x 10 inches
Pastel, 8 x 10 inches
This small pastel was done at a school art night. I did a demo and donated another painting for the raffle. It is from at least 6 years ago. It was done from my imagination with no photo or real life set up. I think my paintings have improved and I am sure my photos are better. :)
12 comments:
Pastels are fun to teach. The question you gave each student to answer rocks. I blogged along with teaching my pastel class...you can check my blog's labels. It was a great way to answer questions or say something I had forgotten to mention.
Lucky you to be able to talk when you are out with a group. Several in my group can't work that way. It is hard to stay quiet. Sounds like teaching is just the thing for you. You seem to enjoy it.
Nancy, thanks for the reminder. Will check the blog again. You keep me in line! Thanks.
Jeanne, Yes, I talk too much. My friend, Sue, puts on her MP3 player sometimes! When I paint on the street, like at Yesterfest, I think I like talking as much as painting. :)
I talk non-stop and love to have my students chattering with me while they paint. There are some that just can't handle the talking and painting at the same time. Some can't even listen and paint at the same time.
I bet you will be a great teacher.
How fun Jo! Wish I could be there. I'm sure that you're a wonderful teacher. :)
bag blog and Kasie, thank you for the vote of confidence. My talking will pull me through, I bet.
Congrats! I wish I lived closer so I could attend your workshop! I'm sure it's to be a blast!
Jo--
Your students will enjoy discovering a new medium. I have found that demonstrating simple things, like how to use the side of the stick, working dark to light, hard to soft. etc. works well...and sometimes I cut up a piece of wallis paper and show how to use a solvent (ie turpenoid, rubbing alcohol) to create a wash from the pastel as an underpainting- people seem to find that very interesting, too. good luck with the class!
Rhonda, Thanks for the ideas. I have samples of several kinds of paper and pastels. With a small class there will be lots of hands on time. Should be fun.
Hi Jo, how did the workshop go?????
Valerie, I knew that question was coming! I'm working on my e-mail to the group and on a blog post as we speak. Thanks for asking. It went very well.
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