Intro To Pastels

Intro To Pastels

Instructor: Nanci Sheppard

Pastels is a versatile medium developed in France in the late 1800’s. It was perfected for the French Impressionist because they are immediate, correctable and can be transported easily. They have a special quality of luminescence that can’t be duplicated with any other medium.

In class I will discuss the properties of pastel, the various paper types, framing and types of pastels. Each student will be provided with the same color photo reference, 2 sheets of different paper to try, an eraser and, hopefully a finished painting to take home. Nanci will demonstrate on the same papers as are handed out, because each type of paper has different qualities.

Date:  February 15, 2025
Time:  9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: SRAL Studio
Maximum Number of Participants:  16
Cost: $10.00 collected at the beginning of class
Students to provide: An apron and thin rubber gloves

Biography

I began my journey in art as an oil painter but switched to pastel about 10 years ago, I loved the look of a finished piece. I have been creating art since age 3 or 4, drawing with pencil on paper. I took art in school receiving an AA Degree in Art, but marriage and a child hindered my art time. A single parent after 6 years and a full-time job left little time for art, but I did do oil painting in my spare time.

I am a representational artist. I have shown and sold artwork in Oregon and at various venues in Arizona including the Dessert Museum, St Phillips Gallery, CPAC and SRAL shows. I have also won many awards at CPAC and SRAL. I taught pastel at Quail Creek for six years. I have taken many workshops at Tubac School of Fine Arts and the Tucson Pastel Society. I have taken classes with pastel artists, Nancy Nowak, Christine Debrowski, Lorenzo Chaves, Doug Dawson, Mancy King Mertz, Marla Bagetta, Richard McKinley and others. I took classes at the Art Center School of Design and Otis Art Institute in Pasadena, CA. I enjoy plein air and head the Plein Air SIG at SRAL. Pastels give me great joy. My hope is that you will enjoy it also