This full day workshop will be an exploration of soft pastels as a versatile and exciting art medium. We will cover application techniques with various types of pastels and substrates and methods of using wet media in advance of dry pastel application. Working from a photo we will cover the step-by-step process of developing a beautiful skyscape from thumbnail sketch to completed piece. Everyone will have the opportunity to finish a painting which will be ready to take home and frame. All levels of experience are welcome.

Artist Bio: Frances has explored Canadian marine and landscape subject matter in pastel for the past ten years and has traveled throughout the country gathering material for her art, focusing on the unique colours, rhythms and character of each region. She believes that the immediacy and translucency of pastel make it the ideal medium. Her work can be found in Peace Gallery North, Dawson Creek Art Gallery and in the homes of private collectors in Ontario, Quebec and BC. She holds Master Pastellist status with Pastel Artists Canada. See her work at FrancesObie.com

Saturday, April 7th
Workshop Cost: $120 per person

Reserve your seat now!

Materials & Supplies
Reference Photos – Everyone is invited to bring landscape photos that feature the sky. Photos taken in the early morning or late afternoon/evening are best. Francis will also bring a selection to choose from.
Pastels – For those who wish to bring their own – Dry pastels only, No oil pastels please. Otherwise, participants can purchase their own pastels in advance or pastels can be purchased at the workshop for an additional $25.
Medium Soft Pastel Set with a good colour range. Suitable brands are Rembrandt, Mungyo, Art Spectrum, Rowney.
Soft Pastels – Optional, but If you have them, bring them. Brands include Unison, Sennelier, Schmincke.
Hard Pastels – Optional but bring them if you have them – Nupastel, Mungyo.
Pastel Pencils – Optional but bring them if you have them.
At the time of writing this the best price for Rembrandts was found on Amazon.ca.
All the above pastels can be ordered from DeltaArt.ca or Currys.com.
Acrylic or Watercolor Paint – Frances will provide paint but if you would prefer to work with your own, please do so. Warm earth colours are good – Burnt Sienna, Raw Sienna, Umber. This is just for underpainting.
Brushes – Frances will provide brushes but if you have favorite brushes you like to use, please feel free to bring them – 2” soft flat brush and a smaller round brush.
Easels – If you have one bring it.