Pastel Adventures

Supplies that you need to bring to class

A range of soft and hard pastels of “Artist Quality” (brands such as Rembrandt, Faber Castell Hard, Art Spectrum, Unison and Schmincke are all good options) in all the colour families (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet). A basic shared box of pastels will be made available for those with a limited supply.

If purchasing pastels, please note that oil pastels are unsuitable (they are a different medium to soft pastels). Pastels labelled ‘artists' pastels’ are also unsuitable (these have lots of fillers, give weak colour, usually fade, and don’t layer satisfactorily). Please only buy pastels labelled ‘Artist Quality pastels’. By using these you will achieve greater joy and far superior results.

• Pastel pencils are optional

• Pastel paper – bring a variety of pastel papers of colours that you enjoy. Sanded papers such as Art Spectrum Colour Fix (sandpaper-type surface) for wet pastel techniques exercises and the underpainting exercises. The paler colours work best for under-painting, even white would be suitable in this instance.

• Pastel papers such as the Canson pad of pastel papers are fine (Canson XL Sand Grain, or Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Drawing paper). The grey-toned pad is ideal in an A3 size. This will be for the pastel drawing exercises.

• Bring sufficient of both types of the above-mentioned papers for your very own projects.

• Backing board – large enough to suit your pastel papers. Layer several sheets of newsprint on the board to provide a good working surface. Clips to attach your papers to the backing board

• Charcoal (willow and compressed – whatever you have at home), kneaded eraser (Faber Castell brand is far superior to any other), wet wipes or rags to clean your hands.

• Cloth to cover your workspace

• Table easels and a backing board with clips to attach your paper

• Scissors and masking tape

• Newspaper to create a catch tray for pastel dust

• Fine Spray bottle for water

• 1-2 soft, cheap, old, synthetic 1 or 2 -inch flat brushes, and a small container/jar for water. Paper towels or a small rag

• OPTIONAL: Clear pastel primer (Art Spectrum brand is preferred) and an old sponge to apply. This can be used to create textures and cover an overworked area on a painting. Only suitable on pastel paper that can be wetted, such as Art Spectrum (AS) Colourfix paper.

• A few sheets of glassine paper to allow for easy transporting of your pastel artwork back home

• OPTIONAL: Fixative if desired – preferably Spectra Fix – available online and in stores. No aerosol sprays to be used indoors for health and safety reasons.

• Notebook or visual diary for notes and sketches, pen and or pencils

• Your own rubbish bags

• Your own hand sanitiser

• Face Masks in the event you have a cough, etc

• Personal tissues

• Coffee cup and supplies for making your own hot drinks (an electric jug usually provided to each classroom)

• A small battery-powered lamp to illuminate any props that you bring – nothing with a cord, please, for safety reasons. Amazon has some around the $22 mark.

References:

• Bring along A4 photos of subjects that you enjoy - enough for the whole week. Working from a digital device is okay SO LONG AS you ALSO have a printed copy of your images. Copying services are usually available at the camp office for a small fee.

• Feel free to bring along any props with which you may also work. Props will always give you more satisfactory and accurate colour than photos provide.