Keeping pastels clean.

I like a tidy start with pastels. Ten minutes later it looks slightly different!  Here is the set up, with some colours chosen, put together in tones and colour hues. 

I find having white paper is ideal to test colours and also clean pastels. Using the Pastelmat paper I do find any dirt or muddy colours on the pastels does show on the paper. I also wipe them regularly with tissue, or give them a shake in ground rice. Couscous seems to work too!!If you don't like me have ground rice in the cupboard

I often start with the background. Cooler tones, less detail and getting a feel for the place I'm in.

By the way, I forgot to tell you where we are. 

Looking into the Langdale valley from Lingmell fell, a super inspiring place at any time, but with the sun shining it's pure heaven.

This is as far as I've got, the Pastel sticks have had a party. Masking tape has been applied in the foreground,  I want to retain some of the juicy darks for later. And now it's time to stand back and figure out what needs adjusting.

I like to jump into the studio for a few minutes and see what catches my eye.

I'll keep you posted, with the progress.

Here's a link to my pastel course

Golden Leaves pastel Demonstration

The last of the Golden leaves are hanging on for dear life against Storm Abigail.

 But what better way to spend an afternoon, especially when it's purely horrid outdoors.

 Painting bright Golden colours in an Autumn  woodland scene, pop some music on, have the kettle ready and away we go.

Stage One 

Tape down a piece of Clairefontaine pastelamat white pastel paper onto a board. 

Add some watercolour washes, not too wet, less water and you seem to have a touch more control. 

Splashes of Red, Yellow and Blue, let them merge together to create beautiful colours.

Leave to dry or speed it up with an hairdryer. 

Stage Two

The Background, I find is a good place to start when adding pastels. Think cool colours, tonal values  and less detail. Leave those bright colours for the foreground trees and path. Composition needs a little thought, I like to see a way through a painting. The light at the end of a tunnel, a fence dancing along the side of a field or maybe a couple out walking their dog. The choice is yours. 

Stage Three

A liitle blending in places to get rid of too much detail, I find a colour shaper ideal for this. Pastel pencils could also help to indicate thin branches along the way. Shadows will help to show the time of day and a bright area bathed in sunshine always makes my heart sing! A few more leaves floating down before the storms appear and the painting will begin to come to life

Golden Leaves painted in Pastels

If you fancy learning the joys of pastel painting why not sign up for my online course.

 Containing six projects and step by step instructions, a material list and personal feedback.

A perfect gift for the want to be artist

Pastel Online Course

Price £55.00

Pastel Online course

The first project an easy seascape.

Fancy painting in  Pastels, no idea where to start, what paper or Soft, Hard or Oil Pastels?
This unique Pastel course will guide you through techniques, materials, composition and how to create subtle yet dramatic paintings. Fancy a change from watercolors, this is the perfect medium.

Painting in pastels has given me so much confidence with tonal values, painting light and dark and creating the images I see in the Landscape.The pastel course includes six projects with individual feedback with each painting you produce.

I know you will be delighted with your paintings that you will produce, it will open up a totally new dimension to your work.

Number two a tonal lake scene,

Three and we see a little tree action and reflections

Poppy power is number four, I know you will love this one

Number five, warm subtle shades to create a harmonies and evening glow.

Finishing with a scene that brings everything you have learned together.

With regular email updates this six project course is going to be so exciting and 

a perfect start to Pastel painting.

Pastel and watercolour workshops

A quick update for 2016  Workshops and Courses.

With lots of Pastels and exciting new Watercolour techniques 

Loose and Colourful 

2016 New Dates

To reserve a course or workshop

 just send me an email lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk

 Watercolour Weekend at  Grasmere

Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2016  

Learn to paint  wonderful watercolours in the studio at the Glenthorne looking on to the Grasmere fells. Lots of techniques, colour mixing and landscape painting will be covered in this two day course.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £225.00 including Bed and Breakfast ( Friday and Saturday evening) staying at the Glenthorne Hotel, Grasmere

 Pastel Weekend at  Grasmere

Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May 2016  

A pastel workshop for Beginners with  indoor demonstrations in the studio and outdoors  looking on to the Grasmere fells from the Glenthorne

All you need to learn to start pastel painting will be covered in this two day course.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £225.00 including Bed and Breakfast ( Friday and Saturday evening) staying at the Glenthorne Hotel, Grasmere

  Watercolours and Pastels  at Grasmere

Monday 9th to Thursday 12th May 2016

 Watercolours and Pastels painting magical  Bluebell woods near to Rydal water and Grasmere Lake. Indoor demonstrations and workshops in both mediums and plenty of outdoor on location painting.

 Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.This popular course fills quick

 Summer  Watercolours at Grasmere

Monday 27th to Thursday 30th June 2016

 Wonderful, Colourful,  Watercolours experiment with new techniques and colour mixing indoor and outdoor demonstrations in the beautiful Lake District. Lots of Flower meadows, Foxgloves, streams stunning scenery to paint.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.

  

Summer Watercolours and Pastels

Monday 8th to Thursday 11th August 2016

A course for the beginner or Intermediate in  Pastels and watercolour  exploring different papers and techniques. Indoor demonstrations, workshops and plenty of outdoor on location painting in the grounds of the Glenthorne and nearby locations,with a visit to the Lake Artist exhibition.

Suitable for Beginners and Intermediates with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast.

Autumn Colours with Pastels Grasmere.

Monday 10th to Thursday 13th October 2016

A   Pastel workshop suitable for beginners and Improvers painting indoor and outdoor on location with many demonstrations and stunning Autumn colours to capture.

Price £395.00 including Dinner Bed and Breakfast with Single and Double ensuite rooms  available

Email Jane at  lakelandart@hotmail.co.uk for more information or to reserve a place

See Here for more information.