Art Workshop: Pastels en plein air with Jane Varda

Sunday, June 24, 2018 | 9am-12noon | Festge County Park, 4894 Scherbel Rd, Cross Plains, WI 53528

Rain date: Sunday, July 1, 2018. Same time

Arrival time: 8:30am (Time to set up easels and supplies) Class begins: 9am

Deadline to register: Saturday, June 9 by 5pm

Join artist and instructor Jane Varda on a plein air outing at Festge County Park! Students will work alongside Jane to create a plein-aire landscape, working with composition, value, hue and chroma. The aim is to establish values as quickly as possible and then work up the detail from our observation of the scene in front of us.  Jane will be around helping students one on one, as well as creating a demo piece along the way. We will have an informal critique of everyone’s paintings at the end of of class for those able to stay after 12pm. Do feel free to bring a brownbag lunch-painting outside works up an appetite.

This is an outdoor class, so students should plan accordingly. Sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water should be brought along. Students will meet at Festge Shelter #1, a large pavilion with covered tables. Class itself will take place at the nearby overlook that shows views of the Driftless Region.  THERE IS NO RUNNING WATER ON SITE. Vault restrooms are available at park entry, but they are “rustic”.

This class is appropriate for those with some foundational/intermediate pastel experience. Supplies are not provided, but a suggested list of items to bring is available below. Beginners will be considered, but it is highly recommended to bring the supplies below, which can be expensive for someone just beginning or wanting to try it out. Contact Kristina at 608-643-5215 or kcoopman@riverartsinc.org for more information.

About Jane Varda:

“I grew up in England, a voracious reader with a vivid imagination. I don’t remember my first drawings, but I’m told that they were often done in my books and illustrated my collection of imaginary animal friends.

Following many years as a designer and art director of children’s historical fiction books, I am now working as a freelance art director with my own office and studio. I am able to make more time to devote to painting. Trained in a variety of media, I work primarily in oils and pastels, either en plein air or in the studio from photographs or still life.

My subject matter includes landscapes, figures, and still-lifes. It encompasses the world I experience and to which I am deeply, emotionally connected-my family, my country home, and my environment. I love the atmospherics of the ever-changing, seasonal rural landscape.”

Suggested Supplies:

• Pastels: Suggested brands include Sennelier, Terry Ludwig, and/or Unison. Suggest a mix of hard to softer pastels
• Paper: Suggested brands Colorfix or Kitty Wallis. Please bring several sheets in order to complete studies
• Board on which to attach paper. Suggest masonite
• Masking Tape
• Easel. (Umbrella optional. This class will be outside)
• Nitrile gloves: Optional but pastels are very messy!
• Hat, sunscreen, drinking water, snacks.
• Glassine paper: Optional but best way to protect and transport finished work.
• No fixative sprays please!