Cosmic Creations

WHAT IS STUDIOWORKS CREATIVE ACADEMY?

Warmup Lesson : CELESTIAL WHIMSY

In this two-part warm-up lesson, we will first familiarize ourselves with the supplies. Then explore the medium with a relaxing warm-up to get the feel of medium. This playful lesson we will use our soft pastels combined with pastel pencils by creating a whimsical celestial cluster.

LESSON 1: INTO THE NIGHT

Join me in stepping into the enchanting world of soft pastel as we embark on an artistic journey together, creating a whimsical celestial fox. In this lesson, I'll unveil the secrets of using black as a starting point, a guiding star to navigate us through this creative endeavor. Together, we will explore the core stages of breathing life into a pastel painting, immersing ourselves in the transformative power of value and understanding its impact on our artwork, all while learning techniques to conjure misty, atmospheric celestial clouds that will transport you to a dreamscape beneath the starry night sky.

LESSON 2: COSMIC DREAM

Embark on this cosmic journey with me as I lead you through the process of deconstructing structure and infusing playful abstract elements. We'll seamlessly bridge the gap between structured techniques and the abstract world, embracing whimsical mark-making techniques that grant you the freedom to explore and play. It's the perfect opportunity to unlock your creativity and allow your imagination to soar in this exciting artistic adventure!

LESSON 3: GUIDED BY THE COSMOS

Join me for the grand finale as we explore the art of harmoniously balancing playful textures and vibrant colors in this enchanting celestial owl. In our artistic journey, we will delve into the magic of incorporating a dominant neutral tone to create perfect harmony. You'll have the opportunity to discover my unique techniques for using pencils to deconstruct and abstract the owl's structure, allowing whimsy to shine through. Additionally, I will reveal the secrets of using black to craft portals of wonder, infusing depth and an air of mystery into our celestial owl.

Bonus Lesson 1: HOW TO MOUNT YOUR PASTEL PAPER

This bonus lesson will show you how and why I mount my pastel paper. Adding this step to your process can create a lot of ease in handling, photographing and storing a finished piece.

BONUS Lesson 2: HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR PASTEL PAINTING & DIY FRAMING TIPS 

This bonus lesson you will learn how to care for your finished soft pastel painting: protecting and storing. I also share with you do it yourself option for framing your own pastel painting.

Who is this class for?

Embark on a captivating journey with me as we delve into the limitless potential of PanPastel and its dynamic synergy with pastel pencils. Together, they unlock the ability to craft mesmerizing layers of texture, allowing you to infuse a relaxed, abstract essence into your artwork.

• Over 12 hours of content.

• Unlimited lifetime access.

• Printable line art for each lesson.

• 2 warm-up lessons.

• 3 full lessons.

• Bonus: How to mount your pastel paper.

• Bonus: How to care for your pastel paintings & DIY frame your pastel painting.

I have used many pastel papers and discovered that sanded pastel paper makes a huge difference in what kind of experience you will have with the medium. It allows a lot of layering, and you can erase it without damaging the paper. In addition, the sanded paper grips onto the medium, and you do not need to seal or use a fixative on your artwork. Please note there are several different grades of the UART sanded paper; the 600 is the one I recommend because it doesn’t damage the Sofft Tools. Using a different grade and other pastel papers can affect your experience with the medium. If you can’t find the UART brand, ask your local art supply store for sanded fine-grade pastel paper. Another popular brand that works well is Pastelmat by Clairefontaine.

UART Premium Sanded Pastel Paper - 600 Grade/Grit DARK - 3 sheets of 9x12  

Wolff Carbon Pencil - 2B - This pencil has more “staying power” than a regular pastel pencil. 

PanPastel Colors - If you cannot purchase all of the PanPastel colors suggested below. Here are the class's core colors (marked in bold).

• Orange

• Orange Shade

• Orange Ex. Dark

• Red Iron Oxide

• Red Iron Oxide Extra Dark

• Permanent Green

• Burnt Sienna

• Burnt Sienna Shade

• Burnt Sienna Extra Dark

• Phthalo Green Shade

• Phthalo Green Extra Dark

• Diarylide Yellow Ex. Dark

• Yellow Ochre

• Yellow Ochre Tint

• Bright Yellow Green Ex. Dark

• Bright Yellow Green Shade

• Magenta

• Magenta Extra Dark

• Violet

• Rich Gold

• Violet Extra Dark

• Turquoise

• Raw Umber Tint (I use this more than white)

• 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

This class uses the pastel pencils heavily.To simplify things I’m only using Stabilo/CarbOthello Pastel Pencil in class.

• Stabilo/CabOthello: I would suggest buying the set of 48

• If you want to buy them individually here are the ones I use the most and you could get by with using the following in bold 700, 680, 642, 221, 692, 615, 704, 100, 750, 690, 545, 675, 585, 530, 590, 575, 625, 655, 635, 310, 335, 215, 570, 330, 311, 305, 595, 610, 385, 365, 305, 311, 330. 

Townsend Artists' Ultra Blue/Black 54D Soft Form Stick Pastel (This is to achieve the extra dark black in my pieces.) You can use any of the Ultra Blacks. You can also use the black pastel pencil to achieve a similar result.

Hardboard Panel - 18x24 to tape your artwork on  

Alcohol & A Wood Skewer - Used to mix with gold and the skewer to add gold details.

Mini Paint Brushes: (Optional) Size 4/0 - I show you the mini set I use to apply gold details. MyArtscape Miniature Paint Brushes

White Eraser

• My favorite is called Acurit Vanish Four In One Eraser

• These Look Similar Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers

Pastel Pencil Sharpener 

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

• M&R Sharpener Replacement Blades 

White or Black Artist Tape 3/4”

Wood Dowel or a long paint brush handle

• 3/4” x 19”. I use this for stabilizing my hand on the easel while painting. They can be found at your local craft/hobby/hardware store.

Mechanical Pencil .05 lead

Mounting Pastel Paper Bonus Lesson

Pastel Paper

Grafix Double Tack Mounting Film

• Choose the size that will be large enough for your pastel paper. I usually buy it in the larger sheets and cut it down to a little bit larger than the pastel paper I’m mounting.

Mat Board - I use Crescent No. 33 White & Cream Smooth Mat Board

Exacto Knife - With a fresh blade.

Cutting Matt

Pastel Care & DIY Framing

A Frame with Mat

• Choose a store bought frame that has a mat with the opening size to fit your pastel painting.

• Example: if you have a 9x12 pastel painting you will need a larger frame with a mat that has a 9x12 opening.

Mat Board

• Scrap strips of mat board 1/2” to 1” thick.

Double sided tape

White Art Tape or Framing Hinge Tape

Alcohol 

• I use it to clean my framing glass

Lint Free Towel 

• Use to clean glass and to hold glass while cleaning.