This pastel workshop will be emphasizing how to make pastels work best for you. In this I will need you to bring three different "grades" of pastel. Don't panic! You are not expected to buy a ton and probably have all three types already. We will be working to "push" these differences (powers) against each other to create strong and subtle contrasts.

These are examples:

High Power
At least a small set of any one of these: Schminke, Great American or Sennelier. If they feel very soft, they typically will do.

Medium Power
These are your "staple sticks” - Unisons, Giraults, (my favorite and I highly recommend them if you need to purchase some.) Winsor Newton, Holbein, the Richeson (regular) brand, Terry Ludwigs, Diane Townsend or any old round Grumbachers.

Anything that is not a student grade will work. If the set just says "art chalks" on the box, then they are inferior quality and you will just be fighting with them.

Low Power
These are Nupastels, Rembrandts, Creatacolors, hand-made Richesons, old, square Grumbachers and any brand of pastel pencils. I recommend you bring as many pastel pencils as you can. If you have never used pastel pencils before, please buy a small set. It doesn't have to be a big set, but they are crucial to the drawing and layering stages of how we will be working. Derwent are the cheapest. I recommend the Carb-Othello or Giaconda brands. A 40-60 stick set will be sufficient.

**As long as you have a smattering of each of these ”powers,” then you will be good to go. If you have a complete set of something that is your favorite brand, and I haven’t mentioned them above, please bring them too!

If you have questions, email me at christine@swannportraits.com