In-Studio

Sparkling Highlights and Luminous Shadows: Oil or Chalk Pastels

Instructor: Judy Russill

  • Sketchbook

  • 2B/4B pencil

  • Plastic eraser

  • Gum eraser (for chalk pastels)

  • Masking tape

  • Rags/ paper towels for cleaning hands

  • Mask (if sensitive to dust)

  • Sketching paper

  • Old bristle brushes (Size 2 to 4)

  • Canson Mi-Teintes pastel paper – DO NOT PURCHASE but if you have this, it is excellent for practice and thumbnail sketches

  • Personal photo reference – select a picture that SPEAKS to you with excellent lighting and strong shadows

***IF USING SOFT CHALK PASTELS***

Soft chalk pastels – Nupastel by Prismacolour - as large a set as you can afford. The whole pastel painting can be completed with these which are available at 10% off at the Medicine Hat College bookstore. Sennelier, Unison, Rembrandt, and Schmidke are wonderful to work with but not necessary in trying out this medium as they are quite expensive. Available in sets or Schmidke individually at The Paint Spot for $8.95 each. The instructor will make her soft pastels available for use.

Pastel pencils – General’s, Conte, Or Caran d’Ache in white, black, sand, violet, ultramarine blue are useful. Sets of inexpensive General’s pastel pencils are available at Michael’s with a coupon. Individual Conte Pastel Pencils or Caran d’Ache are available in art supply stores in Calgary, Edmonton or on the Internet. Complete soft chalk pastel paintings can be completed with pastel pencils. If planning to share the cost of shipping, check out “The Paint Spot”.

Please do not buy any chalk pastels other than these brands.

Pastel paper – U-Art, Pastel Premier - all sanded pastel boards which need to be secured to Matboard or Illustration Board. Illustration board is available at the MH College Bookstore. Sand, white, or navy available from the instructor - 9” x 12” for $10.00 each, or 12” x 18” for $18.00 each.

***IF USING SOFT OIL PASTELS***

Oil pastels – Gallery, Monte Mart (HomeSense), Paul Ruebens are inexpensive for a set of 24 to 50 and provide a good colour selection and these brands are reasonably colour stable. Available on the Internet for under $50.00. Sennelier, Neopastel (by Caran d’Ache) are expensive but buttery soft with excellent colour stability. Available on the Internet. Individual colours and sets are available at: “The Paint Spot” (Edmonton).

Pastel paper – Pastelmat is an excellent oil pastel surface allowing numerous layers, also needs to be secured to Matboard or Illustration board. Sand, wine, dark blue, and light blue available from the instructor - 9” x 11.5” for $10.00 each or 11 1⁄2” x 11 1⁄2” for $18.00 each. Oiled water-colour paper (treated for oil pastels) is also a choice.