Carol Strock Wasson, “Bare Minimum,” pastel over monotype.
Acclaimed pastel artist Carol Strock Wasson will visit Heartland Art Club Sept. 14-15. Her workshop, designed for artists at all levels, will focus on the many ways to greater develop use of pastels.
This exciting two-day workshop is designed for artists of all levels, from complete beginners to seasoned professionals, to delve into the vibrant world of pastels. Whether you’ve never touched a pastel stick or are looking to expand your artistic knowledge, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to create and revive your art.
The focus will be on exploring the incredible versatility of pastels. We’ll move beyond the traditional approach and delve into a world of creative possibilities. You’ll learn how to utilize a variety of tools and materials alongside pastels to create unique and layered effects. We’ll be experimenting with brayers, which are rollers used to spread and manipulate paint, to create smooth backgrounds or textured surfaces, also squeegees, razors, clay tools, kitchen tools. We’ll also explore the use of pastel with other mediums as either over or under painting to add detailed lines and accents. The use of mediums like clear gesso, fixatives, acrylics, and inks as underpainting layers will give your artwork depth and luminosity. We’ll even explore the use of these mediums on top of the pastels to create unique effects and textures.
This workshop goes beyond just technique of the medium. We’ll talk and learn about the foundational principles of strong composition, using compositional structures. A strong foundation of structure ensures the work is interesting and moves the eye through the painting. Learning how to see value scales is one of the main focuses of the workshop, which involves understanding the relationship between light, dark and color, will help to you to understand that “value does the work, but color gets the glory” Color harmony, the art of using colors that play well together, will also be a key focus, helping you create visually pleasing work. Exercises and games are an important part of the workshop, these are designed to make you ask questions and grow the creative side of your brain.
Carol Strock Wasson, “Eclipsed Light,” pastel over a counterpoint.
Carol Strock Wasson, “Field Drainage,” pastel.
The beauty of this workshop is that it’s open to all artistic backgrounds. While pastels will be the primary medium used, other mediums can be used. Pastels will be available for you to experiment with whatever medium you use. The core principles of composition, value, and color harmony are universal and can be applied to any medium. This workshop is a fantastic opportunity to experiment with a new medium, but more importantly, to refine your artistic skills and discover fresh ways to express your creativity.
By the end of this two-day journey, you’ll have gained a newfound appreciation for the versatility of pastels and a toolbox full of new techniques. You’ll be brimming with inspiration and ready to embark on exciting new artistic endeavors.