JanisEllison.com

Landscape Pastel Class

Course Outline

The weekly format is designed to provide students with lecture and supporting workshop manual to teach the content of the week's focus. I believe in providing students with the illusive basics of art principles in pastel Landscape painting. This is a "jumping off" point for students as their own inspiration, style, and creative spirit direct their personal expression.

Week 1:

Introduction: What is pastel?
Review of materials for new students

Demonstration: Composition, Shapes, and Values
Underpainting

Individual Work at Easel            Either work in progress, or bring photo
                                                with simple shapes and strong contrast
                                                of light and dark. Tips on painting from
                                                photos.

Week 2:

Demonstration:                            Understanding Aerial Perspective
                                                  Lost and Found Edges

Individual Work at Easel               Bring in photo work from, preferably
                                                  a landscape subject with distant
                                                  subjects as well as strong foreground,
                                                  sense of light and shadow.
                                                  (or work in progress)

Week 3:

Demonstration: Clouds and skies

Individual Work at Easel Subject with sky would be good to
try new techniques.

Week 4:

Demonstration: Plein Air, or Painting on Location

                                                    Review of all work done in class
                                                     with recommendations for future
                                                     emphasis.