May 28, 2014 at 4:09 p.m.
Learn to paint pastels at School of the Arts
Learn to paint pastels at School of the Arts
By By Daryl Youngstrum-
Randolph is up to the task. She has worked as a professional artist for 34 years, and her stint at School of the Arts 2014 will be her sixth as a School of the Arts painting instructor. As a member of the Pastel Society of America and Wisconsin Visual Artists, she displays her work in three northern Wisconsin galleries. Her home studio in Drummond is open by appointment year round and is on the annual Blue Moon Art Tour.
Although she is also a noted author and poet, her specialty is working with pastels.
"Pastels are pigments compressed into stick forms by the manufacturers," Randolph said. "The same pigments are used in watercolor and oils. What makes each medium different is the binder mixed with the pigment."
"To create a pastel work of art, pastels are lightly layered onto pastel paper that has texture or 'tooth'. When the entire paper is covered with pastel, it's referred to as a painting. Pastel paintings in museums that are a hundred years old look fresh and vibrant as if they were painted yesterday."
Randolph's School of the Arts students will bring their own photos to use for reference when they come to class. "In my workshop, participants will plan their compositions working from photos they'll bring with them," she said. "It's meaningful to work from their own landscape photos in which they may have a meaningful connection. A portion of the photo or the entire photo may be used. It's helpful if a student has prior experience with basic drawing, but my workshop is open to all levels of experience: beginners are welcome."
Pastel Painting: Moods and Drama of Landscape is offered in two sessions, Saturday and Sunday, July 19 and 20, from 8:30 to 11:45 a.m., and Saturday through Wednesday, July 19 to 23, also at 8:30 to 11:45 a.m. Randolph has high expectations for her students.
"I hope the students will go home with several finished pastel paintings depicting various moods and drama of landscapes," she said. "My goal is for everyone to practice selecting the focal point (center of interest) of their landscape and emphasizing that area and its essence. I hope confidence will grow for everyone in class as they use the medium of pastel, expressing their personal connection to the subject."
Information on this and all School of the Arts at Rhinelander classes is available on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Continuing Studies website, soawisconsin.org. Further information, including registration and financial aid information, is available at the registration desk, (608) 262-2451.
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