Supply List for Exploring Pastels Class
Exploring Pastels
*The demos each week will be using a different paper or technique but you can watch the demo and then decide later if you want to buy the supplies. Be prepared to work on your own work the majority of each class period. You can work with only the 'Bare Minimum' supplies throughout the entire class.
Demo for the first class will be using alcohol to break down the pastel. You are welcome to watch the demo without the extra supplies of rubbing alcohol or Turpenoid, old brush, container for alcohol, and sanded paper.
The Bare Minimum:
1. Pastel Sticks
Pastels can be expensive, but they last a long time and don’t dry out like other painting mediums. Buy the largest set of pastels you can (try to get at least a set of 36). A mix of hard and soft pastels is best (see suggestions at bottom of page). If you only buy one set, get Rembrandt or Nupastel. Half-stick sets are fine. Or buy individual colors (get a light, medium and dark value in each color you pick). Do not bring oil pastels or craypas. You could expect to start out with a small set of pastels and then add individual sticks as you find more colors you want and don't have in your set.
2. Paper
I recommend working small (8 x10, 9 x12, or smaller) but you can work in any size you like. I will be using a sanded paper like Art Spectrum, UART or Wallis brand). You can purchase this paper at Guiry's on Colorado and Evans Streets (in Denver, CO) or on-line. I recommend this paper even though it is more expensive because it is easier to work on and can be washed off and reused if needed. If you don't want to use this paper, and have a favorite pastel paper, bring it. A medium-value (not white or black) paper is the easiest to work with. Pastel paper is not a smooth paper. The paper needs to have some texture "tooth" to it so that it will hold the pastels. You may want to buy only one or two small sheets (8" x 10") and then see if you like the paper before purchasing a large pad.
3. Paper Plate or Tray
Used to hold pastels that you are painting with
4. Pencil or pen and a small sketchbook or a few sheets of white paper (can be copy paper). If you have supplies that you use to do quick sketches, bring what you like to use.
Used to draw thumbnail sketches
5. Backing Board/ Support to put paper on
Can be a piece of foamcore, masonite, plywood panel, cardboard, etc. Needs to be larger than the paper you will be working on.
6. Clips (or clothespins) or tape
Used to attach the paper to the backing board.
7. Newspaper
To cover table
Optional Items:
You can attend the class without these items and then decide if you want to purchase any of them. These are all optional items that you may decide you don't need at all.
1. Tabletop Easel or Floor Easel- It is easier to work on pastels vertically
2. Photographic Reference- I will bring extra photos so if you don't have any, you can use mine. You can download your own reference photos from: www.MorgueFile.com.
3. Latex gloves or Magic Glove lotion- to protect your hands
4. Workable Fixative Spray (Needs to be workable. I use Krylon brand)- not needed for the first class (you will be more likely to use this spray if you have a paper with less tooth. You probably won't need this if you work on the Art Spectrum Colourfix paper)
5. Old, cheap brush with stiff bristles- any size up to about 1" (you are welcome to use my brush during class if needed)
6. Wet Wipes- cleanup for messy fingers
7. Scissors & Ruler to cut paper
Suppliers:
On-line Art Supply Stores:
Jerry's Artarama, Dakota Art Supplies and Dick Blick.
Denver, Colorado stores that carry pastel supplies:
Hobby Lobby- carries a few pastel sets and toned light-weight pastel papers
Guiry's (on Colorado and Evans) and Meininger's- carries a larger selection of pastel sets plus individual sticks of pastels and pastel papers including Art Spectrum Colourfix paper
Pastel Brands I Use:
Hard- Density Pastels: Nupastels by Prismacolor, Rembrandt
Soft-Density Pastels: Unison, Schmincke, Sennelier
Paper I Use:
Art Spectrum- Colorfix paper
Wallis
UART (I order on-line from Dakota Art)
*The demos each week will be using a different paper or technique but you can watch the demo and then decide later if you want to buy the supplies. Be prepared to work on your own work the majority of each class period. You can work with only the 'Bare Minimum' supplies throughout the entire class.
Demo for the first class will be using alcohol to break down the pastel. You are welcome to watch the demo without the extra supplies of rubbing alcohol or Turpenoid, old brush, container for alcohol, and sanded paper.
The Bare Minimum:
1. Pastel Sticks
Pastels can be expensive, but they last a long time and don’t dry out like other painting mediums. Buy the largest set of pastels you can (try to get at least a set of 36). A mix of hard and soft pastels is best (see suggestions at bottom of page). If you only buy one set, get Rembrandt or Nupastel. Half-stick sets are fine. Or buy individual colors (get a light, medium and dark value in each color you pick). Do not bring oil pastels or craypas. You could expect to start out with a small set of pastels and then add individual sticks as you find more colors you want and don't have in your set.
2. Paper
I recommend working small (8 x10, 9 x12, or smaller) but you can work in any size you like. I will be using a sanded paper like Art Spectrum, UART or Wallis brand). You can purchase this paper at Guiry's on Colorado and Evans Streets (in Denver, CO) or on-line. I recommend this paper even though it is more expensive because it is easier to work on and can be washed off and reused if needed. If you don't want to use this paper, and have a favorite pastel paper, bring it. A medium-value (not white or black) paper is the easiest to work with. Pastel paper is not a smooth paper. The paper needs to have some texture "tooth" to it so that it will hold the pastels. You may want to buy only one or two small sheets (8" x 10") and then see if you like the paper before purchasing a large pad.
3. Paper Plate or Tray
Used to hold pastels that you are painting with
4. Pencil or pen and a small sketchbook or a few sheets of white paper (can be copy paper). If you have supplies that you use to do quick sketches, bring what you like to use.
Used to draw thumbnail sketches
5. Backing Board/ Support to put paper on
Can be a piece of foamcore, masonite, plywood panel, cardboard, etc. Needs to be larger than the paper you will be working on.
6. Clips (or clothespins) or tape
Used to attach the paper to the backing board.
7. Newspaper
To cover table
Optional Items:
You can attend the class without these items and then decide if you want to purchase any of them. These are all optional items that you may decide you don't need at all.
1. Tabletop Easel or Floor Easel- It is easier to work on pastels vertically
2. Photographic Reference- I will bring extra photos so if you don't have any, you can use mine. You can download your own reference photos from: www.MorgueFile.com.
3. Latex gloves or Magic Glove lotion- to protect your hands
4. Workable Fixative Spray (Needs to be workable. I use Krylon brand)- not needed for the first class (you will be more likely to use this spray if you have a paper with less tooth. You probably won't need this if you work on the Art Spectrum Colourfix paper)
5. Old, cheap brush with stiff bristles- any size up to about 1" (you are welcome to use my brush during class if needed)
6. Wet Wipes- cleanup for messy fingers
7. Scissors & Ruler to cut paper
Suppliers:
On-line Art Supply Stores:
Jerry's Artarama, Dakota Art Supplies and Dick Blick.
Denver, Colorado stores that carry pastel supplies:
Hobby Lobby- carries a few pastel sets and toned light-weight pastel papers
Guiry's (on Colorado and Evans) and Meininger's- carries a larger selection of pastel sets plus individual sticks of pastels and pastel papers including Art Spectrum Colourfix paper
Pastel Brands I Use:
Hard- Density Pastels: Nupastels by Prismacolor, Rembrandt
Soft-Density Pastels: Unison, Schmincke, Sennelier
Paper I Use:
Art Spectrum- Colorfix paper
Wallis
UART (I order on-line from Dakota Art)
