Pastel Landscape and Collage | Tricia Reust

What will I learn?

This is a workshop to expand the use of pastel. We will look at brief theory of design, particularly for collage; how pastel can be used as a wet medium as well as dry; pastel techniques especially stroke-making; pastel underpaintings; and brief colour theory, working over the two days on exercises and one larger landscape work. Participants can choose to work in a traditional manner or a more contemporary approach.

Tricia’s teaching process includes theory, handouts and demonstrations.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

This workshop is suitable for beginners and experienced alike as Tricia's teaching process is that she provides a handout, covers theory and demonstrates every single step beforehand as you go along in the drawing process.   Tricia spends as much time with each participant as possible. 

What do I need to bring?

• Visual diary and pencil for taking notes and sketching out compositions

• Board with half sheet Art Spectrum Colour Fix paper masking-taped to it (your choice of colour though not a dark tone). I will be using white. Blue Haze and Soft Umber are also good colours

• Cut the other half of your Art Spectrum Colour Fix paper into four – these will be used for the four exercises. Or bring along scrap pieces of pastel paper for four exercises.

  Optional – if you wish you can do a full page landscape – the back board must be large enough to fit the paper.
   

• Your regular soft pastels (I use Art Spectrum)

• kneadable eraser

• torchon

• some pastel pencils for detail

A basic palette includes a hot and cool each of red, blue and yellow; an orange, green and purple; white; yellow ochre; burnt sienna and burnt umber; and any colours appropriate to the landscape you choose to depict.
(Please note – Rembrandt pastels do not mix with water very well. The newer Art Spectrum soft big block pastels are great for final layers of colour).

• Binder Medium and an old flat bristle brush for application with collage. If you do not have any and are hesitant about collage, you can share mine.

• Art Spectrum clear pastel primer is essential.

  For collage - Thin papers eg., tissue paper; brown wrapping paper; scraps of thin fabric; paper doilies; printed napkins; photocopied music, maps etc; ticket stubs and so on. I will have a limited supply to share.
   

• Towel or other protection for work surface

• Paper towels

• Container for water

• Paint brush for moving wet pastel around – a flat Taklon one at least half an inch wide is suggested.

Reference material – your chosen landscape. I will have some reference photos to share.

• Bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by. 

What is provided

• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarte art community

About the Tutor

Tricia Reust is a visual artist working in most media.  Her art process increasingly involves presenting layers of story in her images.

Among many awards, Tricia has won 2nd Prize in the 10th International Drawing Biennale in 2019 and won the National Mortimore Prize in 2012. 
She has been a finalist many times in the Bald Archy, recorded two television episodes with Colour in Your Life and has been published in the Australian Artist and all four “Incite – The Best of International Mixed Media” publications through North Light Books.

Tricia is a Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of Australia, and a Life Member of the Redcliffe Art Society. She is a popular workshop presenter and has taught throughout Australia and overseas.