Techniques for Pastels
Supply List
We’re going to work from life and from photos in this workshop. You may bring an object you’d like to paint. Something simple would be fine.
Please also bring photos that interest (or puzzle) you. These can be any subject: landscape, close-ups, florals or still life. I’ll also have some photos you can use.
Feel free also to bring ideas, questions, works in progress. This is a forum for you.
Please also bring
--Nupastels or other hard pastels -- as many colors as you have (see below for sources). We'll use hard pastels for beginning stages of paintings and for detail work in later stages.
--Soft pastels -- as many colors as you have (see below for sources)
--Sanded paper (see bottom of email for sources. I will have some available for purchase. See info below.
Cut to 9x12", 8x10", 11x14" sizes or just bring and cut them at the workshop
--Hard backing to put behind sanded paper on the easel — a piece of foam core or gatorboard 16x20"
--An old filbert or flat brush, about 1/2" to 1” wide, for softening edges, removing pastel
--An old flat brush, about 1 1/2" to 2” wide, for underpainting
--Masking tape (preferably NOT blue, please)
--Aluminum foil — a piece 18-24" long, to put on easel tray to catch pastel dust
--Viva paper towels — Viva brand highly recommended, for its softness
--Easel
Prairie Arts Center has standing easels and table easels; but feel free to bring your own, if you prefer.
--Cell phone, tablet, or camera
Optional Supplies
--Portable light for your easel. Can be a clip-on or floor light. Preferably with daylight/color-correct bulb
—Sketchbook, for notes, thumbnail sketches
--Drawing pencil or pen
--Viewfinder
Sources
Pastels and sanded papers
Soft pastels, Nupastels and sanded papers are not available in Stillwater, unfortunately.
In OKC, Porch School and Art Supply (near 50th & Santa Fe) carries some hard and soft pastels and sanded papers.
In Tulsa, Ziegler’s carries some hard and soft pastels and sanded papers.
Or online: Terry Ludwig, Dakota Pastels, Dick Blick, Jerry’s Artarama, Cheap Joe’s.
Yes, good pastels are expensive, but they last a very long time. And they're wonderful!
If you can, get at least a few colors to try.
1. Soft pastel brands:
Terry Ludwig Mount Vision
Sennelier Girault
Great American Richeson hand-rolled
Schmincke Daler Rowney
Diane Townsend Holbein
Unison Henri Roche
Rembrandts are harder than most soft pastel brands, but will work.
I use mainly Terry Ludwigs and a smattering of the other brands.
2. Hard pastel brands:
Nupastels—the full set of 96 colors is ideal
Gallery (not preferred but will do)
3. Sanded papers:
I use mainly Art Spectrum's ColourFix paper, dark colors. I buy the large 19x27" sheets and cut them into smaller sizes.
I'll have ColourFix large sheets available at the workshop, in Aubergine (cool violet gray) and Burnt Umber (warm dark brown). You can buy these at my cost (about $10 each). You’ll need 1-2 large sheets. You can cut them to 9/12”, 8x10” 11x14” sizes at the workshop.
You are welcome to bring your own paper, if you prefer; just please be sure it is sanded paper.
Other brands of sanded paper:
Some of these are light in color. Light-colored paper is not my preference, but you may like it. Or underpaint on it first, to tone it.
UArt (400-500 grit recommended)
Fisher
LaCarte
PastelMat
LuxArchival
Pastel Premier
Richeson
Ampersand Pastelbord