My NuPastel Portrait Palette Colors

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Artists often ask me which brand of hard pastels I use, as well as what specific colors are in my portrait palette. Well, to answer this question once and for all, I've created a chart of my favorite NuPastel portrait colors, along with a collection of grays that I keep in my portrait palette. I purchase these NuPastels in single sticks online from resellers like Jerry's Artarama. All the numbers on this chart correspond with the official NuPastel color chart numbers, so you can easily order them yourself. If you want to learn how to sharpen these to a point, watch my video where I given a demonstration. I hope you find this helpful!

Interview With Cherie Haas, Online Editor, Artists Network

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While on the set with ArtistNetwork.TV to create a new video series, I had the opportunity to share a few thoughts on art during an interview with Cherie Haas. In PART 1, we discuss why I love pastels, my artistic muse, and my process for setting up a still life.
In PART 2,  Cherie asks me about one of my favorite "A-ha!" moments that transformed my work. We also discuss my series, Reflections of Hope which depicts the people of Rwanda, and how I attempt to invite my audience to look more deeply and care.    

Watch Part 1               Watch Part 2

Landscape Demonstration & Portrait Workshop

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I had a wonderful time last month giving a painterly landscape demonstration for Pastel Society of New Jersey. I have some pictures to share, compliments of John D. Helm Photography.

LIFELIKE PORTRAIT & FIGURE PAINTING Workshop

I hosted a three day portrait workshop in Southbury CT this month with a wonderful group of artists. Here are some pictures of my demonstrations as well as student work. 

Pastel 100 Competition

My painting entitled, The Bride, has been awarded Second Place in the Portrait/Figure category of the 16th Annual Pastel 100 Competition.  I'm grateful to my friend, Josie, who posed for this painting. I'm also grateful for the amazing Pre-Raphealite artists like Waterhouse and Rosetti who inspired me with their own depictions of victorian brides. Most of all, I'm grateful to God, who has given me the ability and opportunity to create.

“My beloved is mine and I am his…”.  Song of Solomon 2:16

The Bride 23 x 16" pastel

The Bride 23 x 16" pastel

"Glimmer" in the IAPS Show at Vose Galleries

Thrilled to be showing in, "The International Association of Pastel Societies' 24th Juried Exhibition at Vose Galleries"

On Saturday, May 10 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. the public is invited to the opening festivities at Vose Galleries, 238 Newbury St., Boston, which will feature an afternoon of artist demonstrations and tours of the exhibition

The International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) is pleased to announce its 24th Juried Exhibition to be held from May 10 – June 21, 2014 at the venerable Vose Galleries of Boston. This IAPS exhibition will feature soft pastel paintings by 76 contemporary artists, selected from over 850 entries. Hailing from twenty-nine states, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and Queensland, Australia, the finalists are some of the most prolific and important contemporary pastel artists in the world. The show will display how this luminous medium is inspiring artists and advancing the quality, prestige and value of pastel painting.

Weekend Portrait Workshop

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I recently taught a weekend workshop with a group of inspiring artists as we developed our portrait techniques and approaches. What a wonderful time we had together!

The weekend began Friday evening with a full portrait demonstration in pastel. 

It's so exciting to see workshop participants push themselves right out of their comfort zones to apply these new techniques and learnings to their work. The results are always amazing!

How To Sharpen Hard Pastels

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Sharpening Hard Pastels can be an art in itself and make a difference in your mark-making. Many have contacted me, asking how I sharpen my hard pastels. This video will show you how! Learn my simple technique for sharpening your hard pastels and improving the details of your pastel paintings.

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Delayed Gratification

I’ve been working on a pair of heirloom portraits for months now. These life-sized, oil on linen portraits of two lovely siblings have been developing steadily under my constant care. Every stage of the process stewarded with the greatest attention to detail and ongoing collaboration with the wonderful family I was commissioned by. We’ve charted quite a journey together bringing this art to life.

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You know, sometimes we paint for immediate gratification, and enjoy the finished result in just a few hours. Yet at other times—in an effort to create work that will benefit generations to come—we paint with a much longer-term view. This kind of creative work requires much patience and perseverance, but it's well worth the wait knowing that I’m creating art that will last. Perhaps in art-making, as in many areas of life, greater satisfaction is derived from delayed gratification. Looking forward to sharing the finished products with you very soon!

Pastel 100 Competition Honorable Mention Winner

I'm thrilled to announce that my pastel painting, "Prima Ballerina," has won an Honorable Mention in the Portrait & Figure Category of the 15th Annual Pastel 100 Competition, hosted by the Pastel Journal magazine. For the complete list of finalists, visit artistnetwork.com

 I’ve been fortunate to win many competitions over the years and now I help other aspiring artists do the same in my Courses and Workshops.

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Take a look at my upcoming pastel painting courses to see how you can join us to hone your skills and become the next award-winning artist.