Pastel Painting Class with Shela Reilley
This class is suitable for those that have no experience in pastels and also for those that have some experience (with either pastels or another medium).
This class is suitable for those that have no experience in pastels and also for those that have some experience (with either pastels or another medium).
Supply List for Pastel Class:
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. 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 Wallis, UART or Art Spectrum Colourfix Paper. You can purchase paper at Guiry's on Colorado and Evans Streets (in Denver, CO) or on-line. I recommend a sanded 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) and a black, fine-tipped Sharpie pen. 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.
&. 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.
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
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. 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 Wallis, UART or Art Spectrum Colourfix Paper. You can purchase paper at Guiry's on Colorado and Evans Streets (in Denver, CO) or on-line. I recommend a sanded 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) and a black, fine-tipped Sharpie pen. 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.
&. 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.
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