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Supply List: Pastel Landscape (Multi-Day)
(updated 8/12/08)

Pastels

In case there is any question, this is a workshop in soft pastel -- NOT oil pastel.  They are completely different media.  Basically, you will need enough pastels to cover the six basic colours (the primaries:  red, blue, yellow; and the secondaries:  orange, green, violet) with both a cool and a warm version of each, and with five steps of value for each (dark to light).  You will also need a variety of neutrals (greys and browns.)  I recommend the following.

  • Hard pastels: Any hard pastel will do, but I prefer Prismacolour NuPastels (96-piece set).  (The 72-piece Cretacolour Pastel Carré set is a good second option.)
  • Soft pastels: Any soft pastel will do. Many manufacturers now make half-stick sets. Half-sticks give you more control over the stroke and are sturdier than the full-sticks.Get an assortment of 40 or 80.

 Paper

Although I sometimes apply pastel to my surface dry, I also use a technique that involves applying a wash of either alchohol or Turpenoid. You will need a paper that will stand up to an application of liquid.  I prefer the Wallis Sanded Paper because it has a finer, more consistent tooth. 

  • Wallis Professional Grade Sanded Paper in a size convenient for working on outdoors. I will be working most likely in a 9x12 size.  I recommend 9x12 or smaller, which will allow you to complete a painting in one session. Plan on doing 2 paintings a day for full-day workshops, 1 painting for half-days.  The paper is available in both white and Belgan Mist.  I will use both colours.  I use white for the wash technique and the grey for the dry technique.

Equipment

  • Outdoor easel.  I use the Heilman Designs Backpack Pastel box with the optional easel and tripod.  A French easel (either full- or half-box) or any other type will work, but it should be portable and lightweight and above all stable.    (Flying and don't want to pack the easel? If you are attending the Friar's Bay Studio Gallery workshop, we may have a French easel for you to rent. You will need to rent the easel in advance. Rental is $10/week. This does not apply to workshops not at Friar's Bay Studio Gallery.)
  • Umbrella - not necessary, but helpful in intense sulight.  (It's not for you but for your palette and paper!)
  • Stool - again, not necessary, but good for comfort. If you must sit to paint, I strongly suggest a stool or collapsible chair, since not all of our locations will have picnic benches.

Miscellaneous (besides the usual odds and ends for pastel painting):

  • Small Sketchbook and pencil for making quick thumbnail sketches.
  • Viewfinder, gray scale and pocket wheel.  (All available from www.pochade.com.)
  • Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits, Turpenoid or rubbing  alcohol.  (Note:  Do NOT get Turpenoid Natural.  It is made from citrus oil, which will not dry.  Get only Turpenoid Regular.)
  • Old bristle brush (1/2" to 1").  Short and stubby and CHEAP.
  • Hat, sunblock and water bottle for working outdoors (and maybe bug dope!)
  • "Baby wipes" for cleaning fingers. Most locations do not have running water.
  • Appropriate clothing and shoewear.  Some locations may be cool, and sandals may be an inconvenience if footing isn't the best.
  • Photos to work from.   In the event of inclement weather -- rain, excessive wind, snow, etc. -- we may work in the studio from photos (or, more preferably, from a still life.)
  • Lunch.  Bring a bag lunch, because if we're out in the field, we may not have dining facilities or a deli nearby. 

 Keep in mind that this is mostly a plein air workshop! What this means is:

  • Everything should be portable. You should be able to carry everything in ONE trip.
  • Think ahead to what you might need in the field, such as drinking water, snacks, baby wipes for your hands, sun hat, sunblock, etc. But remember -- you still have to carry whatever you bring in ONE trip. (Most likely, we'll be walking very little distance from the car, but you never know!)
  • Try to have a system for carrying and using pastels, as they can be cumbersome in the field. For example, I keep my field pastels in the four trays that fit into my 9x12 Guerrilla Painter Box.
  • Restrooms may not be immediately available.  The nature of plein air requires a certain amount of flexibility on the part of both instructor and student, and although we will try to find locations that have restrooms, you may have to use the facilities the Great Outdoors provides.
  • Be flexible!  Some locations may be better at certain times than others depending on weather and time of day.  Be prepared to carpool, as some locations may not have parking for everyone.

Suggested Reading

My book, Through a Painter's Brush: A Year on Campobello Island, has lots of mini-essays on my painting process plus demonstrations.  (Order from my website.)

The "Bibles" of Outdoor Painting:

Solid Books on Painting, Plein air or Studio, Oil or Pastel:

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