Plein-Air Pastel & Observational Drawing

Overview

The beautiful setting in Idyllwild is the perfect place to discover the wide range of possibilities of working with chalk pastel! Through a series of separate exercises on technique and observation, participants will develop skills in composition, light values, line quality, color blending, relationship of shapes and more. By practicing the various elements, both separately and in combination, a good foundation is formed to create understanding of each individual, self-expressive style. 

Many exercises are designed to provide ways to break down habits that prevent growth. For example contour drawing – observing a subject intensely and drawing without looking at the paper.  It helps to analyze details that are actually seen, and relieve the stress of expectations.  Another is to compose from above to below and vice-versa, to gain perspective on the relationships of one element to another. Also, drawing around a corner of a building (or tree) helps to see the support of shapes behind a subject. For color blending, there are layering exercises, underwashes of thinned acrylic, and a limiting exercise where each participant will use only 3 random color selections, plus black and white. Aside from the “lessons”, free drawing as much as possible combines it all!

Additional Information