Pastel Back to Basics Class Session I Review

The focus for the last four classes was 'The Planning of a Painting'. We spent two classes just planning the painting and the third week we actually painted but the catch was we had to paint larger than 16x20. This is my finished demo painting 18x24. The first photo shows what we did during the first week. We planned the composition and did value studies for the painting. I have developed a planning worksheet to make this process easier.

Monochromatic Value Study

After we did our value studies in a thumb nail version we painted a small monochromatic study. The idea was to concentrate only on the values and not to worry about color at this point. That would be the next class!

Color Studies for Larger Painting

The second week of class we focused on color. We did small color studies each one using a different color scheme. It was fun to explore the way color changed the mood and feeling of the painting.

Week Four .... Painting from our Imagination

After spending three weeks with our image, we were ready to be finished with it. I emphasized that the planning of a painting doesn't usually take 3 weeks! I usually spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour on a painting plan....but by breaking down the steps we now could see just how easy it can be. For the last class of the session, we were now ready to have some fun. So I asked everyone to put their reference photo away and paint our scene from our imaginations. I did this as the demo but I ended up making some changes after class. I decided to turn the yellow flowers into daisies! I really enjoyed this session and look forward to the next 4 weeks when we will explore Underpaintings!

Photos from the Wildflower Workshop

Thank you to all of my fantastic students for a fun weekend of learning and painting. I enjoyed meeting new students and seeing my regulars! Everyone did some great work and I hope learned more about painting meadows and wildflowers with pastels. I am currently working on the class and workshop schedule for Fall. Please let me know if you wish to be notified of the new schedule. kemstudios@yahoo.com

Wildflowers of Summer...Wildflowers in Pastels Workshop

'Pick Me a Bouquet' 18x24 pastel

Wildflowers in Pastel Workshop ... June 12 or 13
Just in time for Summer, I am offering a workshop on painting wildflowers with pastels.

About the Workshop
Pastels are the perfect medium to capture the delicate beauty and vibrant colors of wildflowers and the landscape around them. I will offer demonstrations, exercises and individual help at the easel during the four hour workshop. Our emphasis for this workshop is to learn ways of seeing color in wildflowers and their surroundings and how to choose the pastels to help paint these colors.
I will also share techniques for achieving the loose painterly quality to wildflowers and how to make them look like they belong in the landscape. We will learn ways to paint both a field or meadow and a more intimate view of wildflowers. There will then be plenty of time for you to apply these ideas and techniques to your own painting.
Whether you are experienced with pastels or would like to try this exciting medium, consider joining me for this workshop!

I am offering this 4 hour workshop twice in June and the fee is $45. Choose either Saturday June 12 or Sunday June 13. We will meet from 1-5pm in my Marietta, Ga studio.
Enrollment is limited so please email me at kemstudios@yahoo.com to reserve your spot.
I look forward to sharing my wildflower 'secrets' with you!

Pastel Instruction / Classes in the Atlanta Area

If you are looking for pastel instruction in the Atlanta Georgia area I would love to discuss the many options I offer. From private lessons to weekly group sessions to one day mini-workshops, I offer classes for students of all levels of experience. We meet in my Marietta, Georgia studio. The link to the current schedule of classes is on the sidebar on the right. If you have any questions, please send me an email. I'd love to help you on your journey with pastels!

NEW OFFERINGS FOR SPRING
I have finalized my Spring Pastel Class schedule and have a couple of new and interesting offerings. I know Spring is a busy time but I hope to see you at a class this Spring. Here are the two NEW classes you might want to consider:

1) *Water, Water Everywhere! * Sunday March 21 form 2-4 pm. This is a 2 hour class on painting water. I will show you ways to paint still and moving water, whitewater , waves and reflections. We will do a paint-along and then you are free to stay as long as you wish to work on some water paintings.
The cost for this class is $25. Note that this isn't the usual 4 hour workshop but I will have the studio open for you to stay and paint after the 2 hour class.

2) *Plein Air Success! * Saturday May 8th 9am-5pm. This will be an all day workshop on plein air painting. I will be covering all of the basics for successful plein air painting and we will be painting outside! Details coming soon but this will be a great chance to get ready for our trip out west!
Cost: $65

April Workshops:
Saturday April 17 1-5 pm *Underpaintings*. If you missed the last workshop on underpaintings, you may want to consider this class. $45
Sunday April 18 1-5 *Miles of Canvas...Jumpstart your personal Challenge*. Start a painting challenge and paint, paint, paint! I will have stations set up for you to try some of the more unusual techniques I used in my miles of canvas challenge. A fun and inspirational workshop!

Master Classes are scheduled for Tuesday April 6th, April 27 and May 18th
Back to Basics class followed by Landscape class will continue every Tuesday from 7-9 pm

I am now offering online pastel instruction as well. Click on the tabs at the top of the page for more information.

Painting Shells...Workshop on Sanibel Island

'Beach Treasure' 11x14 pastel

If you are in SW Florida this January and would like to learn how to paint shells with pastels, join me for my workshop at the Baily-Matthews Shell Museum on Sanibel Island. The workshop will be held on Friday January 29th from 2-4 pm. I am excited about the opportunity to paint at one of my favorite places and to share my love of shells and pastels. If you would like more information, send me an email at kemstudios@yahoo.com

Plein Air Workshop in the North Carolina Mountains

I am excited to announce my plein air workshop in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. I am planning a fun and informative 2 1/2 day workshop introducing you to the basics of painting en plein air with pastels. The workshop will be held in Murphy North Carolina in the Tri-state area of North Carolina just 20 minutes from Blue Ridge Georgia. Lodging is included in the workshop fee at the wonderful Dancing Bear Cabin. Email me at kemstudios@yahoo.com if you would like more information or to register.

****This workshop is being rescheduled for October 2010, details coming soon!**************