Catching The Light

WHAT IS STUDIOWORKS CREATIVE ACADEMY?

Warmup Lesson :

Simplifying Composition & Whimsical Feather

In this two-part warm-up lesson, we will first simplify composition to have the core tools that will help guide you through your paintings. In the second part, we will familiarize ourselves with using our soft pastels by creating a whimsical feather. 

bonus lesson:

Color Mixing with PanPastel

This bonus lesson explores the magic of color mixing using PanPastel. With a focus on the vast color range of skin tones, I’ll be sharing the key to combining colors that will make your portraits shine. 

Lesson 1 : Illuminated Journey

This lesson will creatively use simple reference images to create a unique painting. We will start with a core foundation that will help guide you to make decisions while developing the piece. You will see how I intentionally relinquish my attachment to the result, thus, allowing the creative freedom for each piece to unfold in the moment. Together, we will create a beautiful luminous, light-dappled effect that will make your art glow.

Lesson 2 :  Lightworker

For years, owls have been a re-occurring theme in my artwork. Let me share my joy in creating this whimsical owl with you.  I will share how I creatively use reference photos as a jumpstart to my paintings. I will take you on a joyful journey of discovering the power of color harmony and light.  We will also incorporate whimsical mark-making that will give you the permission to play that you have been waiting for.

lesson 3 :  Nature’s Light

Inspired by a spontaneous photo session, I will guide you step by step as we develop this unique pastel portrait. Experience an in-depth journey into my creative process as I share personal insights into what motivates me to make certain decisions. I will break down each step and demystify painting skin tones. We will bring everything I’ve shared with you together to create this shining example of Nature’s light.

Who is this class for?

While this class is built around using PanPastel, it is a class is for all color lovers and light seekers! If you want to learn more about color mixing, color harmony, and color theory - I’ll be covering this!

These invaluable lessons translate to ANY medium! Using color with intention is powerful and will radically improve your art-making. Illuminating your work with light is all about learning how to use value and contrast. I’ll show you how to create luminosity and shimmering light effects that I know you will want to incorporate into your own creations!

Looking to learn more about how to design and plan your works with composition? We will do that together too! Another vital tool that you can add to your list of artistic skills.

Whether you are new or experienced with pastels or PanPastel, this class will give you an array of new art techniques that you can incorporate into your creative journey. 

My hope in sharing the foundation of my process is that it will provide you with more confidence and creative freedom when you show up to create!

This is a list of what I’ll be using in the class. I’ve included a materials video to discuss all the supplies I will be using throughout the course.

UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper - 600 Grade/Grit DARK 1 Sheet of 9x12 and 2 Sheets of 12x16 (this comes as 12x18, and I cut it down to 12x16)

Wolff Carbon Pencil - 2B

PanPastel Colors - If you are unable to purchase all of the PanPastel colors I've suggested below. Here are the pure core colors (marked in bold) for the class. You will need to add white to create the tints and add black to create the shades and extra darks.

• Orange Shade

• Orange Ex. Dark

• Red Iron Oxide

• Permanent Red

• Permanent Green

• Burnt Sienna Shade

• Burnt Sienna

• Burnt Sienna Tint

• Phthalo Green Shade

• Diarylide Yellow Ex. Dark

• Yellow Ochre

• Yellow Ochre Tint

• Bright Yellow Green Ex. Dark

• Bright Yellow Green Shade

• Magenta Extra Dark

• Magenta

• Turquoise Shade

• Turquoise

• Turquoise Tint

• Black

• Neutral Grey Shade (I only use it for making the transfer paper. You could mix black and white)

• White

Pan Pastel Sofft Tools

• Sofft Applicators (my favorite)

• Sofft Knife and Covers No. 3 Oval

• Sofft Angle Slice, Oval Art Sponge 

Pastel Pencils

I use a mix of pastel pencils for details.

I use mostly the CarbOthello Pencils in the class.

The set I started with, and love is my Stabilo/CarbOthello Pastel Pencils. These are a bit brighter than the other sets I've purchased.

Faber Castell/Pitt Pastel Pencils and Derwent are a bit more toned down, and I love them too.

I recently purchased the Caran d'Ache Pastel Pencil. This set is softer than the others I've suggested, and I like them, but they sit on top of the paper more than the other brands.

• Stabilo/CabOthello: 700, 704, 100, 750, 221, 305, 620, 365, 670, 590, 575, 690, 545, 675, 585, 530, 221, 100

• Faber-Castell: 189, 170, 173, 175, 176,132, 283, 189

• Caran d'Ache: (optional) 052, 042

Townsend Artists' Ultra Blue/Black 54D Soft Form Stick Pastel (This is to achieve the extra dark black in my pieces.)

Hardboard Panel - 18x24 to tape your artwork on  

White Eraser

• My favorite is called Acurit Vanish Four In One Eraser

• These Look Similar Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers

Mobius & Ruppert Brass Round Pencil Sharpener (M&R)

M&R Sharpener Replacement Blades

White or Black Artist Tape 3/4”

Wood Dowel 1/2” x 19” I use this for stabilizing my hand on the easel while painting. They can usually be found at your local craft/hobby/hardware store.

Mechanical Pencil .05 lead