Masterclass in Soft Pastel: Expanding Possibility

This workshop is about the nonobjective process. When you paint, nothing comes up at all. You’re an empty vessel, working with what comes. This masterclass is for those looking for more depth and challenge in their pastel practice. Students are encouraged to explore the 'what if's' and push their established comfort zones to a higher level with the goal of creating exciting new work. Raw color, surprising techniques and materials, exciting mark making, information gathering and a different way of thinking will all be set into practice. A focus will be toward creating a more painterly and intuitive approach to your work.

Professional artist Sondra Holtzman’s artwork reflects musings of travel, afar and close to home. She leads painting explorations all over the world, including Europe, South America and the South Pacific.

After attending Rhode Island School of Design, Sondra worked as a freelance designer, creating artwork for clients like Nike and Delta Air Lines. Her work has been published in 1000 Artist Journal Pages and Signatures: The Art Journal Collection by Somerset Studio.

For Sondra, the true joy of being an artist also lies in the sharing of her passion with others, helping them to discover their own artistic voice.

• A good selection of soft and hard pastels; artist quality are best and highly recommended

• Two Pastelboards by Ampersand: Instructor recommends 9"x12" or 8"x10"

• Images you love that will be the subjects for the final two paintings: iPads, photos, etc. These can be landscapes, animals, still life. The larger the better.

• 18 x 24" board for taping artwork to

• A roll of blue painters tape and a roll of black electric tape

• Several (3-5) sheets of newsprint

• A selection of heavier paper: BIGGIE Drawing Pad (highly recommended), BFK Rives, sanded pastel paper, sturdy watercolor paper. At least 6 sheets of a variety of heavier papers

• Vine and compressed charcoal

• Black and white pastel

• Kneaded eraser (two would be ideal)

•  A roll of soft paper towels

• Portfolio for carrying work (optional)

• Bottle of black Sumi Ink

• 2 empty and clean tuna fish tins for Sumi ink

• 2 jars or cups for water

• An object (or image) that will be the subject for a still life

• White gesso

• Small spray bottle for water

•  A package of baby wipes

• Brushes: a selection of different brushes for a range of marks

• 2 or 3 sponge brushes: Instructor recommend 1" or 2" size

• Small bottle of rubbing alcohol

• Calligraphy pen (no sharp points. Instructor recommends a bamboo pen)

• Bottle of brown ink. Instructor loves Walnut Ink

• Notebook/pen

• Barrier cream (optional)

• Old credit card or other things for creating texture

• A few old rags

• Protective clothing you don't mind getting ‘painterly’

• Completed homework you did before the workshop!

Note: Upon registration for the workshop, the instructor will email the homework to students to complete before the workshop

• A small selection of brushes

• A small selection of charcoal mediums

• Bookbinding awl

• Extra soft pastels

• Graphite tools

• Extra images for people to use

• Extra texture tools

• Pastel paper samples

• Extra erasers

• Extra inks

• Objects for still life

• Handout

• 5 postcard-size prepared mat boards (per student) with Clear Gesso for daily paintings

• Scissors