Pastel Workshop 127Amanda McLean gave up her prior career to become a full-time
artist. She has been working in pastel for over 30 years. McLean has
written more than 20 articles for Australian Artist in the past, and
was an Editorial Consultant for a number of years. Although pastel
is her passion, she works in all mediums and is an avid sketch-
booker. Her skill in rendering both skies and water in the landscape
are especially acknowledged. She is highly regarded as a teacher.
Her regular weekly classes have run continuously for nearly 20
years. She also conducts short and long workshops. McLean’s work
is held in collections nationally and internationally.
Contact at
http://www.amandamclean.netABOUT THE ARTIST
Amanda McLean Fine ArtBuilding Your pastel Selection
I used to think you couldn’t have too many pastels, as you never seem
to have the right colour. Now, however, I have reached the point of
too many. It is important to know your tools, to know which colour
to reach for, to know it by sight, recognise it in a crowd and to know
its name or number—a bugbear of mine, but more on that later.
If you are serious about pastel and can afford it, buying a big set
with a large range of colours can be the way to go. Buying smaller
specialty sets can then be great way of adding useful colours that
complement your preferred subject and painting style. For example,
to build on your basic set consider adding a box of specialty greys,
a portrait set, a set of colours that match the manufacturers’ paper
colours and a box of blues or greens if you like seascapes.
Layering Different Brands
When using varying brands and types of pastels, keep on mind that
it’s easier to apply softer pastels on top of harder ones than visa versa.
Also, colour mixes vary from brand to brand, so don’t discount a
colour because you already have one with the same name.
Reflections, Uriarra Crossing, (Murrumbidgee River), pastel on Sepia Mi Teintes Tex (Touch) paper, 52 x 72 cm (20 x 28")@amandamcleanfineart