From the time of Leonardo da Vinci onwards, artists experimented with developing pastels as a means of combining the benefits of the naturally occurring drawing medium of the chalk pencil, with the rich variety of pigments used in paints. Over eight weeks and in combination with some fundamental skills in drawing, learn how to build up layers of pastel colours, to convey a sense of form, tonal relationships and relative warm and cool values in flesh colour within a portrait.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• The proportion of the head and anatomy of the upper head and torso. In the first two weeks, we will use pencil to draw the proportion of the head. In week 2 we will be aided by a life model, in preparation for pastel portraiture.
• We will make copies of unfinished pastel studies of portraits, in order to observe and analyse the pastel technique of different Masters of the medium.
• We will apply the techniques we have gained from the pastel methods of portrait artists to sittings with two life models.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Gained some proficiency in the proportions and overarching anatomy of the human head and upper torso.
2. Layer pastels, blend with a paper stump and recognise and describe relative warm and cool values in the human face / portrait.
3. Gain an overarching historical understanding of how pastel dominated the genre of portraiture and how we can practically apply this to pastel portraiture.
4. Gain a practical knowledge of the materiality of pastel, related coloured papers and other materials.

MATERIALS LIST

• Faber Castel box 48 to 72 soft chalk pastels
• A variety of A3 coloured papers - buff and blue-grey
• Oil-based black chalk pencil
• Stanley knife for sharpening
• Kneadable eraser
• Two paper stumps
• Two large bulldog clips

IMPORTANT: Please arrive to the first class with all the relevant materials. A lack of materials is not just a handicap to you but to the ability to teach. Materials cost is not included in a course fee. In the event of a course being cancelled WEA cannot be held responsible for the purchase of any course materials. We therefore suggest you purchase your materials closer to the time of the course commencing.

ART SUPPLY STOCKISTS

The following stockists below are examples of places you can buy art materials from:

• Art on King: 199-201 King Street, Newtown. Ph: 9516 2342
• Eckersley's Art and Craft Store: 93 York Street, Sydney. Ph: 9299 4151. Also located in various locations throughout Greater Sydney.
• Parkers Art Supplies: 3 Cambridge Street, The Rocks. Ph: 9247 9979
• The Art Scene: 914 Victoria Road, West Ryde. Ph: 9807 6900
• The Sydney Art Store: 11 Salisbury Street, Botany. Ph: 9699 2162

You can also purchase materials from places such as Dymocks, Officeworks, Spotlight, Lincraft or online art suppliers such as Art Shed Online.