Figures on the Beach in Pastel with Kathy Gallagher - a one day workshop

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Join Kathy Gallagher for a relaxed one-day pastel workshop exploring how to paint figures at the beach with light, colour and atmosphere.

MEMBER: $100

NON-MEMBER: $120

Kathy will demonstrate painting step by step, sharing her approach to selecting and simplifying a reference image, composition, values, colour and capturing the effect of sunlight. She will show how expressive marks, broken colour and lost and found edges can be used to suggest figures, sparkling water and movement without getting caught up in unnecessary detail.

Students can work from the same reference as Kathy’s demonstration or bring their own suitable beach reference. The emphasis will be on simplifying the subject, suggesting rather than describing, and enjoying the expressive qualities of pastel.

Suitable for beginner to intermediate pastel artists with some experience using soft pastels.

About Kathy Gallagher

Kathy Gallagher is a largely self-taught pastel artist based on the Sunshine Coast. Inspired by the beauty of everyday life, she is particularly drawn to coastal scenes and people, with light and atmosphere playing an important role in her work. Her paintings often capture simple, fleeting moments and the sense of connection or memory they evoke.

Working in an impressionistic style, Kathy prefers to suggest rather than describe, using expressive marks, broken colour and lost and found edges to create a sense of light, movement and atmosphere. Over the past two years, her work has received a number of awards, reflecting growing recognition of her pastel practice.

Materials List

Pastels

Bring a selection of soft pastels in a good range of light, medium and dark values. You don't need a particular brand or a very large set. Bring the colours you normally work with, including a selection of:

• blues, blue-greens and turquoise/aqua colours for water

• warm and cool colours suitable for skin tones

• neutrals, greys and earth colours

• several very light colours for highlights and reflected light

• some darker colours for your deepest values

Pastel paper

Maximum size approximately 30 × 40 cm.

My preferred surface is Pastelmat. I will demonstrate on light blue Pastelmat. Canson Velvet, Colourfix or another sanded pastel paper capable of accepting several layers of pastel is also suitable.

Students may wish to bring more than one sheet in case they want to restart or experiment.

Reference image

I will provide a reference photograph for anyone wishing to follow my demonstration.

Alternatively, you are welcome to bring your own beach reference. Choose a relatively simple image with one or two figures, a clear sense of light and an uncomplicated background. A good reference doesn't need to be a perfect photograph—we are using it as the starting point for a painting rather than trying to copy it exactly.

A printed photograph or image on an iPad/tablet is suitable.

Other materials

Drawing pencil, eraser, masking tape or clips for securing paper, backing board if required for your easel, small ruler, paper towel/tissues, wet wipes and an apron or old shirt.

Optional: A piece of glassine or other suitable material to protect the finished pastel for transport.

Tea and coffee will be provided. Please BYO lunch.

create@noosaartsandcrafts.org.au

(07) 5474 1211