Highlights from the Pastel Live virtual art conference, taking place now through Friday evening, September 20, 2024, with attendees from 14 countries and 49 states!
We’ve been enjoying day after day of pastel painting demonstrations from today’s masters, all hosted by Streamline Publisher, CEO, and artist Eric Rhoads, and co-hosts Kelly Kane (Editor-in-Chief of PleinAir® Magazine) and Kari Stober (Pastel Today Community Ambassador).
“It’s hard not to fall in love with pastel once you touch it. Magical.” ~ Gail S.
In addition to the pastel painting demonstrations, we heard a major announcement about the next Streamline-sponsored epic online art event: Realism Live, taking place November 13-15, 2024 (with an Essentials Techniques day on November 12). You don’t want to miss it.
“Great program…4th time here, still learning something new every time. Worked last night and rushed home to be here👍😁 Just super wow!” ~ Ruth S.
Highlights from the 4th Annual Pastel Live
Does the camera lie? Yes, said Colette Odya Smith, who explained important things to know about using photo references and taking better photos.
“The first thing to remember is that the camera is a tool,” she said. “It creates an image that not only serves to help you remember your experience … it helps you focus on what you’re really attracted to.”
In her demo, Colette explained what kind of photographs to take, how to analyze and work with them, and how to see them as a resource without copying them with “complete fidelity.”
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In “Composing from Imagination” Daud Akhriev showed us how he imagines a multi-figure composition. By beginning loose and exploring the emotion of color and movement, he worked towards a study that he’ll later reference for a finished piece.
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We headed into a peaceful meadow with Karen Margulis during her pastel demo. She shared her techniques, tips, and secrets for painting natural and expressive grasses and wildflowers, which she began with a simple no-fail approach with the “three S’s” of planning.
Her pro tip: “Make a plan, then plan to let go.”
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Stan Sperlak’s landscapes are known for their atmospheric depth and evocative use of color. His demo showed us how to translate the grandeur of the outdoors into compelling compositions on paper.
“So good to see Stan Sperlak at his event. He was one of my very first teachers and I still consider him one of my greatest mentors!” ~ Annie S.
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The pursuit of masterly quality and technique is a high priority for Lyn Diefenbach, who joined us from Queensland, Australia to teach us how to create the illusion of form, use edges and values to build reality, how to create patterns, and more.
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At the end of each night, we continued the fun with paint-along scenes and more storytelling and friendships in the making.
As a special bonus, there’s even an art auction of faculty paintings. It ends Saturday night, so click here to see the available pastel paintings from today’s masters – don’t wait because they’re selling as we speak.
We want to thank this year’s sponsors, so please be sure to check out all of the amazing products from Blick Art Materials; Sennelier Fabriano & Cretacolor; Royal Talens; PanPastels.
Join us for the 5th Annual Pastel Live in 2025. Simply visit PastelLive.com now and register for instruction and live interactions with pastel artists from all over the world. We’ll see you there!
