Pastels are a wonderfully versatile and tactile medium. Rather than painting with liquids on a brush, when we paint with pastels we use our hands to apply a stick of pigment directly onto a painting surface. Every aspect of this application can be varied and adapted, including how you hold the pastel, the amount of pressure you apply, and the kind of strokes that you make. In this one-day workshop, we will work on different kinds of mark making with pastels, learning and practicing a variety of techniques and considering the ways in which they influence the feeling of a final painting.
We will talk about mark making with intentionality, understanding how different methods can enhance or detract from a painting’s area of focus. We also will discuss the differences between harder and softer pastels and how each can be used effectively. In the morning, you will create a number of different studies, all from the same photo reference, exploring distinct mark making methods. You will get a sense for how your choices can change the dynamic of a painting, creating a sense of energy and motion or a sense of calm. In the afternoon, you will create a larger piece combining two or three of the mark making methods that you find best fit your subject. You will have personalized feedback and guidance as you explore the pastel medium and expand your repertoire of mark making.
This class is appropriate for all levels. A materials list will be provided in advance.
About the Instructor: Heather Quay
“My goal is to have my paintings capture the feeling of a particular time and place. I have always been fascinated by the way that painters portray the quality and temperature of light. As a pastel painter, I continue to be drawn to scenes where the light is the central character. Whatever I am painting – from landscapes, both natural and manmade, to figures, animals, and portraits – I’m always striving to render the light I see onto the surface of my artwork.”
Heather’s work has been included in juried exhibits across New England and online, and has won a number of awards. She is an Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America, and a Signature Member of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, the Connecticut Pastel Society and the Maryland Pastel Society. She is also a member of the North River Arts Association, the Central Massachusetts Pastel Society, the Pastel Society of New Hampshire and the Lyme Art Association. Heather is a Featured Artist on the Artsy Shark website. More about Heather and her work can be found at www.heatherquay.com
Materials list:
Quay Materials List 2025 Mark-making.pdf
