Intro to (soft) Pastel Painting Session 2

(The syllabus for session 2 may be downloaded by clocking here-note this syllabus is subject to change as I reorganize it to create a more cohesive presentation)

This is a continuation of Intro to Pastels Session 1:

Demo from session 2 click here

DESCRIPTION

Session 2 of Intro to Pastel Painting will continue to build on knowledge and concepts introduced in Session 1. In session 1 our main emphasis was on introducing materials and exploring very basic mark making techniques.  In this session we will reinforce what we learned in session 1 and reinforce  compositional ideas. There will be two tracks: Track one concentrates on perceiving and planning value structure using an instructor provided photo for painting. Track 2 will concentrate on planning a painting from evaluation of reference photos to execution of a painting from value thumbnail through critiquing our work.  Material list is below.

Materials List:

Students must bring:
* A table top easel, if you have one. If you do not, I will provide a small easel for use.
* A set of Pastels
* Pastel Paper of choice (7×9 minimum size) (4 or more sheets)—I encourage you to bring a sanded paper such as Pastel Mat or Uart 400. Unsanded (like Canson paper) will be a difficult support to work with.
* Artist’s tape
* Paper towels
* Drawing pencil or vine charcoal and kneaded eraser
* Materials to do a value thumbnail (drawing paper or 4×6 index cards and markers or pencils that will allow up to 4 value levels
* Minimum of 1 reference photos for evaluation and possible execution (multiple photos is better)

Syllabus:

  1. Review:
    1. Q&A about pastel painting techniques, papers, pastels etc.

TRACK 1
Practice basic mark making skills and learn to see and use a basic element of art: value

  1. MARK. MAKING
    1. Review Mark Making Techniques
    1. We will do a simple fruit still life: (instructor provided photo) using linear and side strokes
  2. BASIC VALUE STUDY
    1. Review the importance of value in painting
    1. Execute a basic exercise to build skill in seeing value structure

TRACK 2
We will execute a painting from analysis through self-critique using a photo subject of your choice

  1. Evaluate the photo using Karen’s list
  2. Determine the visual path or the area of interest
  3. Do a small value thumbnail
  4. Use the thumbnail to draw your subject
  5. Choose a set of colors
  6. Using Karen Margulis’ MAP Approach
    M: What is my motivation for painting this scene?
    A: Do a value study/determine a visual path through the painting
    P: Using the analogous color wheel
  7. Underpainting
    1. put in darks first
    1. put in lightest lights
    1. put in the rest as mid-tones
  8. Reinforce darks and visual pathway to the area of interest
  9. -analyze where to go next : no bad decision; may be set up your area of interest (or top to bottom)
  10. Step away for a few minutes…come back and evaluate corrections (see “critiquing your own painting” sheet) and apply details

Carlson’s Theory of Angles in the Landscape–Marla Bagetta

Other Resources