The power of soft pastels as an artistic medium lies within their versatility. They are forgiving and dry, offering less mess and easier travel options. From landscapes to beaches, flowers to still life, the medium of soft pastels is both deep and broad, and in just a few days, national award-winning artist/instructor Bryan Jernigan will guide you through these genres to help you get a jump on the medium or brush up on your current skills. Each day will include a full demonstration of various aspects of the subjects on offer. There will be opportunities for working from photos as well as in plein air, including time carved out for a “photo safari” in the local area.
Day one will cover the basics of pastel – the supplies you need; the advantages and disadvantages of sanded versus unsanded papers; an overview of the foundational elements of composition and design, value and colors; focal points and cropping for stronger design; aerial perspective essentials, practice warm-ups and more.
Day two will include using sketches, studies and notans to help you prepare before painting to instill confidence in your subject matter. A review of the color wheel, why a limited palette works best, how to move away from local color into interpretive tints, tones and shades.
Day three will get down to the nitty-gritty of landscapes – tackling the nuances of skies, clouds and trees as well as knitting the foreground seamlessly and successfully with the background. We will also try different types of landscapes – working through water reflections, developing sea grasses and sand and the delicacy and drama of crashing waves.
Day four will explore flowers and fruit – both in nature and via still life. Learn about the importance of developing light falling on objects, cast shadows, reflections, how to use “Rembrandt lighting” in a still life setting and how best to set up still life forms – what you need and what you don’t, and more.
Day five will move beyond the basics and into experiments with underpaintings using water and alcohol washes to create atmospheric pastel compositions. The afternoon will culminate with a review of what we’ve learned, offering constructive critique and getting feedback from workshop colleagues. The last day will include a framing demonstration, saving yourself money from framers and how to keep your pastels clean.
About Bryan Jernigan
Bryan Jernigan was born in Arkansas and grew up in Oklahoma where he graduated from Oklahoma State University. He graduated from Drake University with a Master of Arts Degree. He currently lives with his wife, Julie, and his daughter, Peyton, in Washington, DC. He is a member of the Art League of Alexandria, Virginia, and the Arlington Artists Alliance where he has served on the board of directors and as its president for four years.
Rates & Enrollment
Day Student Tuition: $1,055.00
Full 5-Day Package*: $2,772.85-$2,986.69
*5-Day Workshop Package includes: Tuition for 5 full class days, 6 nights of dinner, lodging, breakfast, daily cookie and fruit breaks, unlimited coffee and tea, and welcoming wine and cheese reception. Your choice between a room to yourself (single occupancy) or bring a friend and split a room (double occupancy).
Get more information about your options to enroll here.