CATCHING THE LIGHT

A soft pastel class with a focus on PanPastel.

Let me take you on a journey to explore the unlimited possibilities of creating with PanPastel. We will take an intimate look at the creative process I’ve developed over the past four years of using this incredible medium. Join me in my studio to explore the key steps in unlocking your creativity using simplified composition, value, and color. I will share techniques that will help you make your artwork unique. Discover the power of using color harmony as we build luminous layers of light to make your painting glow. As a bonus, you will have the option to use the provided line art for each lesson so you can focus on painting. Find creative freedom in seeing how I bridge the gap of incorporating abstract elements in my artwork. Come and join me to experience the joy of catching the light together.

Register to get access now

Catching The Light Class
$77.00
One time

We will look at the creative process I’ve developed over the years of using this incredible medium. We'll delve into simplified composition, value, and color techniques in my studio, unlocking your artistic potential.

✓ Over 17 hours of video content
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Printable line art for each lesson
✓ Pre-sized reference images

 What we will learn together…

WARMUP LESSON :

SIMPLIFYING COMPOSITION & WHIMSICAL FEATHER

In this two-part warm-up lesson, we will first simplify composition to have the core tools that will help guide you through your paintings. In the second part, we will familiarize ourselves with using our soft pastels by creating a whimsical feather.

BONUS LESSON:

COLOR MIXING WITH PANPASTEL

This bonus lesson explores the magic of color mixing using PanPastel. With a focus on the vast color range of skin tones, I’ll be sharing the key to combining colors that will make your portraits shine..

LESSON 1 : ILLUMINATED JOURNEY

This lesson will creatively use simple reference images to create a unique painting. We will start with a core foundation that will help guide you to make decisions while developing the piece. You will see how I intentionally relinquish my attachment to the result, thus, allowing the creative freedom for each piece to unfold in the moment. Together, we will create a beautiful luminous, light-dappled effect that will make your art glow.

LESSON 2 : LIGHTWORKER

For years, owls have been a re-occurring theme in my artwork. Let me share my joy in creating this whimsical owl with you.  I will share how I creatively use reference photos as a jumpstart to my paintings. I will take you on a joyful journey of discovering the power of color harmony and light.  We will also incorporate whimsical mark-making that will give you the permission to play that you have been waiting for.

LESSON 3 : NATURE’S LIGHT

Inspired by a spontaneous photo session, I will guide you step by step as we develop this unique pastel portrait. Experience an in-depth journey into my creative process as I share personal insights into what motivates me to make certain decisions. I will break down each step and demystify painting skin tones. We will bring everything I’ve shared with you together to create this shining example of Nature’s light.

WHO IS THIS CLASS FOR?

While this class is built around using PanPastel, it is for all color lovers and light seekers! If you want to learn more about color mixing, harmony, and theory, I’ll be covering this!

These invaluable lessons translate to ANY medium! Using color with intention is powerful and will radically improve your art-making. Illuminating your work with light is about learning to use value and contrast. I’ll show you how to create luminosity and shimmering light effects that I know you want to incorporate into your creations!

Looking to learn more about how to design and plan your works with composition? We will do that together too! Another vital tool that you can add to your list of artistic skills.

Whether you are new or experienced with pastels or PanPastel, this class will give you an array of new art techniques to incorporate into your creative journey. 

My hope in sharing the foundation of my process is that it will provide you with more confidence and creative freedom when you show up to create!

Register to get access now

Catching The Light Class
$77.00
One time

We will look at the creative process I’ve developed over the years of using this incredible medium. We'll delve into simplified composition, value, and color techniques in my studio, unlocking your artistic potential.

✓ Over 17 hours of video content
✓ Unlimited lifetime access
✓ Printable line art for each lesson
✓ Pre-sized reference images

A Few Samples Of My Work

  • Earth Spirit

  • Moonlite Magic

  • Into The Light

  • Truth Seeker

  • Cosmic Guide

SUPPLY LIST:

I’ve included a materials video to discuss all the supplies I will use throughout the class.

  • UART Sanded Pastel Paper - 600 Grade/Grit DARK - 9x12

    I have used many pastel papers and discovered that sanded pastel paper makes a huge difference in what kind of experience you will have with the medium. It allows a lot of layering, and you can erase it without damaging the paper. In addition, the sanded paper grips onto the medium, and you do not need to seal or use a fixative on your artwork. Please note there are several different grades of the UART sanded paper… the 600 is the one I recommend because it doesn’t damage the Sofft Tools. Using a different grade and other pastel papers can affect your experience with the medium.

  • If you can’t find the UART brand, ask your local art supply store for sanded fine-grade pastel paper. Another popular brand that works well is Pastelmat by Clairefontaine. An alternative option is preparing a black surface using pastel ground by Golden.

  • Wolff Carbon Pencil - 2B This pencil has more “staying power” than a regular pastel pencil.


    Pan Pastel Colors

    If you cannot purchase all of the PanPastel colors suggested below. Here are the class's pure core colors (marked in bold). If you buy only the core colors in bold, you will need to add white to create the tints and black to make the shades and extra darks.

  • Orange Shade

  • Orange Ex. Dark

  • Red Iron Oxide

  • Permanent Red

  • Permanent Green

  • Burnt Sienna Shade

  • Burnt Sienna

  • Burnt Sienna Tint

  • Phthalo Green Shade

  • Diarylide Yellow Ex. Dark

  • Yellow Oxide

  • Yellow Oxide Tint

  • Bright Yellow Green Ex. Dark

  • Bright Yellow Green Shade

  • Magenta Extra Dark

  • Magenta

  • Turquoise Shade

  • Turquoise

  • Turquoise Tint

  • Black

  • Neutral Grey Shade (I only use it for making the transfer paper. You could mix black and white)

  • White

    Pan Pastel Sofft Tools

  • Sofft Applicators (my favorite)

  • Sofft Knives and Covers No. 3 Oval

  • Sofft Angle Slice, Oval Art Sponge (Used When Making Transfer Paper)

Pastel Pencils

  • I use a mix of pastel pencils for details.

    I use mostly the CarbOthello Pencils in class.

    The set I started with and love is my Stabilo/CarbOthello Pastel Pencils. These are a bit brighter than the other sets I've purchased.

    Faber Castell/Pitt Pastel Pencils and Derwent are a bit more toned down, and I love them too.

    I recently purchased the Caran d'Ache Pastel Pencil. This set is softer than the others I've suggested, and I like them, but they sit on top of the Paper more than the other brands.

Townsend Artists' Midnight Blue Green 050D Soft Form Stick Pastel (This is to achieve the extra dark black in my pieces.)

Hardboard Panel - 18x24 to tape your artwork on  

White Eraser

Mobius & Ruppert Brass Round Pencil Sharpener (M&R)

M&R Sharpener Replacement Blades

Artist Tape 3/4” White or Black

Tracing Paper, I use Strathmore

Wood Dowel

  • 3/4” x 19”. I use this for stabilizing my hand on the easel while painting. They can be found at your local craft/hobby/hardware store.

Mechanical Pencil .5

Please Note: If you are starting and unable to purchase PanPastels, I have tried out Jan Davenport’s Palette Pastels. They are lovely to get an idea of what the Pan Pastels are like, but they do not have the range of value (light to dark) you will need to get the same results. If you choose to use the Jan Davenport sets, I highly recommend getting the PanPastel white as it is more opaque. Unfortunately, the Palette has no black, so I recommend getting the black PanPastel.