Painting Poetry with Soft Pastels

Instructor: Nancy Angelini Crawford

For beginners to intermediate, you’ll paint from your photos or mine to create the poetry of art within you. Using soft pastels we’ll cover color, composition, value and atmosphere. We’ll also explore a variety of approaches, styles and types of papers used in pastel painting. Whether a landscape, seascape or floral, be ready to bring home art that’s ready to frame and a passion to make more! Enjoy four full days of pure pigment fun!

(Note: these are soft pastels, they are not oil pastels)

Material list:

1. Pastels: Soft Pastels only, not oil pastels.
I use a variety of soft pastels- Schmincke, Unison, Sennelier, Terry Ludwig and Diane Townsend pastels. Stay away from student grade if you can. Quality pastels will make a huge difference in success. Color Sets are good values for the beginner. Having some medium density and less expensive pastels are good for under paintings. It is important to have a good range of values in each color family. I have a few that I can share to help fill in the blanks. Blaine's in Anchorage is a good choice or Dakota Pastel online. Either way, tell them I sent you!
If you don’t have a pastel box, a cutlery tray of office try can be useful for organizing your pastels too!

2. Paper:
Minimum 4 sheets of pastel paper not smaller than 9x12 (except for exercises) I like UArt and Pastelmat the best. I do not recommend Canson Mi-Tientes, it does not have enough tooth to hold layers of pastel.
I will also bring limited sets of quality paper that you can purchase directly from me. Let me know via email if you would like one. They’ll run $20-25 (my cost) for a pack of 4. I’ll demonstrate on a different one each day. It’s a nice way to try different options without a large investment.

3. An easel, one that leans forward is great but not necessary. It keeps the dust from falling on your work. I have a few small table easels to loan that do not lean forward. Email me if you need one.

4. Aluminum foil to create a trough to catch dust below your work

5. Glassine paper, tracing paper, wax paper or tissue paper to protect your work.

6. Foam core or gatorboard needs to be larger than your paper to tape your work to.

7. Workable spray fixative that we will use outside.

8. Other small items...artists tape, wet ones, a small spray bottle for water or rubbing alcohol, a medium to large inexpensive soft bristle brush

9.Photos:
Good quality photos to work from. I suggest having them printed 8x10 but no smaller than 5x7. iPhones are too small. If using an IPad be sure to have enough battery life for your painting. You may or may not be near an outlet. Choose photos that have large shapes and good contrast of lights and darks. This will help you better simplify and have more success. I will have some available also but it’s usually best if you’ve taken it and have an emotional connection.

10. A small sketchbook and markers in 3 values or pencils for preliminary sketches.

Optional:
• fitted rubber gloves, dust mask (N90 are most effective), apron, a hat to reduce glare and wear neutral colored tops