Soft Pastel News

Jean-François Le Saint, a Portrait Demo

2013-05-24T12:13:16Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXoyVWZfjbU

Follow the link to find out more about the french pastel artist Jean-François Le Saint.

Spotlight on Kari Tirrell

2013-05-16T15:18:43Z

Kari Tirrell “Train Wreck”

The soft pastel painting “Train Wreck” by Kari Tirrell was awarded Best of Show at the Northwest Pastel Society’s 27th Annual International Open Exhibition. Check the other show entries at American Art Co.

James Whistler, The Cemetery

2013-05-06T12:05:29Z

James Abbott McNeill Whistler “Cemetery”

Artist: Whistler, James Abbott McNeill
The Cemetery, 1880
Pastel on brown paper

This sheet, made early on in Whistler’s stay in Venice, features the cemetery island and church of San Michele in the brilliant light of day. With a heavy application of pastel, the artist renders the gleaming marble of the Renaissance structure, the cypress trees within the cemetery walls, and the canopied funeral boat at left. Short strokes and zigzagging lines make up their vivid reflections in the rippling water. Whistler probably sketched the scene aboard a gondola. Find more works by Whistler in Whistler’s Venice book.

Dimensions: 203 x 301 mm.
source: Frick Collection
Click on the image to see it in a higher resolution.

Featured Pastel Artist: Mike Beeman

2013-04-21T20:25:07Z

Mike Beeman Pastel Collage

Mike Beeman was raised in Banbury, England, and now lives and paints in Wyoming. Painting in oils or pastels, in studio or on location, Mike’s love for a challenge takes him from figurative work to landscapes to still lives. No matter the subject or medium, Mike is focused on capturing the light and creating a mood that will engage the viewer. His work has been selected three times in Pastel Journal’s top 100 annual competitions, the Richeson 75, and International Association of Pastel Societies’ exhibits. Mike is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and his work has won several awards in both regional and national exhibits. The latest award was the Pastel Journal Silver Award at the 14th Annual Pastel 100 Competition.

Mike Beeman

Mike is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America and the Pastel Society of Colorado; he is also a member of the Pastel Society of the Northern Rockies and the Degas Pastel Society.
You can follow Mike on his Blog Daily Pastel Painting.

Camille Pissarro, Eugene Murer at His Pastry Oven

2013-03-25T15:55:26Z

Camille Pissarro “Eugene Murer At His Pastry Oven”

Artist: Camille Pissarro, 1877
Pastel on paper
Dimensions: 65 x 88 cm
Gallery: Private Collection
source wikipaintings.org

Click on the image to see it in a higher resolution.

An Interview with Frank Federico

2013-03-25T15:24:37Z

Frank Federico “San Diego Fantasy”

Frank Federico, PSA, has been working in pastel for over five decades. He is a PSA Master Pastelist, IAPS Master Circle Member, past president of Connecticut Pastel Society, and holds signature membership in many other prestigious societies. Federico was the PSA hall of fame honoree for 2012.
There is an interesting and worth reading interview with Federico in PSA annual catalog for 2012. Below is the excerpt from the interview.
What qualities do you think make for a strong/good work of art?
Balance, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical. Interesting surface quality – this gives vent to adventures in surface. Some paintings can be deadly in their unappealing flatness; some can be over-surfaced, distracting from the content of a painting. A use of value that enhances the spatial qualities and depth to a painting. Color use that emulates nature but reflects one’s own persona. Recognizing and objectively using compositional tenets, whether it be the golden section, Feng Shui, or the seesaw principle of balancing around a central point.. This can help create well organized paintings or conversely open the door to departure from the stultifying aspects of the same principles.

Jean-Francois Millet, Narcissi and Violets

2013-03-06T21:39:36Z

Jean-Francois Millet, “Narcissi and Violets”

Artist: Jean-Francois Millet, c.1867
Title: Les narcisses et les violettes
Technique: pastel on paper
Dimensions: 40 x 50 cm
Gallery: Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg, Germany

source: wikipaintings.org

14th Annual Pastel 100 Competition

2013-04-21T20:28:58Z

Parag Borse “Wrinkles and the Rooster”

Congratulations to all 100 finalists and award winners in the Pastel Journal’s 14th Annual Pastel 100 Competition!!!!
The grand prize winners are:
Parag Borse, India (in this post),
Elaine Lierly Jones, USA,
Anatoly Dverin, Ukraine, USA,
Mike Beeman, UK, USA,
Astrid Volquardsen, Germany.

The source: Meet the grand prize winners.

Newsletter: the Pastel Scribbler, Feb 2013

2013-02-19T15:13:51Z

Mario Vukelic “Physalis blue”

The Pastel Guild of Europe announced the winner of the Winter “Get Dusty” Challenge. I’m happy and honored that this time it is me. You can follow my art journey at my new blog Colored by Mario.
The latest beautifully redesigned Pastel Scribbler is bringing a few interesting articles for pastel artists.

Get Dusty Winter Challenge results
Meet Get Dusty Winner Mario Vukelic
Workshop experience with Elizabeth Blass
You are the boss!

You can find old issues here and you are welcome to subscribe at the bottom of the PGE home page.

Pablo Picasso, Women in Green

2012-12-20T11:00:55Z

Pablo Picasso “Women in Green”

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973)
Pastel on tan paper board

Source: Met Museum