Acadia Workshop Center
2007 Workshop Schedule
Workshops run 5 days, M-F, unless noted otherwise.
Michael Chesley Johnson
The Maine Landscape in Pastel or Oil
Oct. 6 - 10, 2008 / June 22 -26, 2009
Plein air / Studio
Because of its convenience and versatility, pastel is the ideal medium for painting outdoors.
Michael, a contributing editor for The Pastel Journal and The Artist's Magazine, will show you how to use pastel to its best advantage. Starting by blocking in mass and value, you will then add detail and refine color until you have reached the point of realism you desire. Lots of demonstrations and help at the easel!
Come join this award-winning pastelist's workshop. (Oil will also be taught and demonstrated.)
All levels
Single student $ 1,295*
Two students per room $ 995* per student
Day Student $ 795 **
Artist website: www.michaelchesleyjohnson.com
*Fees include:
Sunday night wine and cheese get-together, 5 day Workshop, 5 nights lodging with expanded Continental breakfast, lunches for 5 days, Lobster/Steak Banquet. Taxes not included.
**DAY STUDENTS - This rate is only for students lodging elsewhere.
SUPPLY LIST:
Pastels
Hard pastels: Any hard pastel will do, but I prefer either Cretacolor Pastel Carré (72-piece set) or Prismacolor NuPastels (48- or 96-piece set)
Soft pastels: Any soft pastel will do, but I prefer either Sennelier or Schmincke, which both have half-stick sets (40- or 80-piece set). Half-sticks give you more control over the stroke and are sturdier than the full-sticks.
If you can't afford all of these, please try to at least have the complete Pastel Carré set (72-piece) or NuPastel set (96-piece) and the 40-piece half-stick Sennelier set. I have seen many students struggle with woefully inadequate supplies. If you are paying for a week-long workshop, do yourself a favor and at least get the minimum!
Paper
Wallis Professional Grade Sanded Paper in a size convenient for working on outdoors. (You can buy 8-sheet pads of 9x12 or 12x18. Plan on a minimum of 2 sheets per day. We will be working in a 9x12 or smaller format.) The paper is available in both white and Belgan Mist. We will use the white. (Occasionally, suppliers will be "out of stock" of the Wallis. In this case, you may use Art Spectrum Pastel Paper -- but again, choose the white.)
Equipment
French easel (either full- or half-box). Another type can be used, but it should be portable and lightweight and above all stable. (Flying and don't want to pack the easel? You will need to reserve the easel in advance. Rental is $25/week from the Center)
Umbrella - not necessary, but helpful in intense sulight.
Miscellaneous
Small Sketchbook and pencil for making quick thumbnail sketches.
Tape, masking or drafting. (Drafting or artist's tape is easier on the paper but masking holds better.)
Gamsol Odorless Mineral Spirits, Turpenoid or denatured alcohol. (Rubbing alcohol will also do.)
Rags or paper towels
Old bristle brush (1/2" to 1"). Short and stubby and CHEAP.
Scissors and steel ruler for measuring and cutting paper.
Backboard for painting on - Foam-Cor, 1/4", 12x16.
Glassine - 9x12 sheets for protecting and transporting finished work.
Hat, sunblock and water bottle for working outdoors (and maybe bug dope!)
Photos to work from. Although this is intended to be a plein air workshop, in the event of inclement weather -- rain, excessive wind, snow, etc. -- we will work in the studio from photos.
Oil Supplies (If using oils)
Paint: I use a limited palette of six colors plus white:
Cadmium Yellow Light
Ultramarine Blue
Ultramarine BlueCadmium Yellow DeepCobalt Blue
Cobalt BlueCadmium RedPermalba WhiteBurnt Sienna*
Permalba WhiteBurnt Sienna*Alizarin Crimson (Perm.)Sap Green*
Sap Green*Colors differ from brand to brand, but pick whatever brand works for you. I recommend professional and NOT student grade oils. If you don't have exactly the paints above, choose a warm and cool pair of each of the three primaries. You may also use any white you'd like. I like Permalba because it is not as stiff as some whites. Griffin Alkyd White is good if you need your paintings to dry relatively quickly. (* Signifies optional paints.)
Medium: I do not use any medium other than Turpenoid for thinning. If you are used to using a medium, then by all means use it for this workshop. If you want your paintings to dry quickly, I recommend an alkyd medium such as Gamblin's Galkyd Lite.
Surface
Panels. I prefer gessoed panels to paint on. My method works best on a smooth surface rather than a textured one. Gessobord from Ampersand works, or you can make your own panels. (Judson's Plein Air Outfitters sells the materials at www. pochade.com.) Something semi-absorbent is best. Bring a convenient size for outoor work. I paint usually small, either 8x10 or 9x12. Plan on 2 panels a day for full-day workshops; 1 panel a day for half-day workshops.
Brushes
·Hog bristle flats - #2, #4, #6, #8, #10
Hog bristle flats - #2, #4, #6, #8, #10·Small sable flat for softening edges.
Small sable flat for softening edges.·Small sable "rigger" for small twigs, etc.
Small sable "rigger" for small twigs, etc.Equipment
Plein air easel. I use a Guerrilla Painter pochade box. Many other brands will work. An old standby is the trusty French Easel. Whatever you use, it should be portable and lightweight and above all stable. (Flying and don't want to pack the easel? You will need to reseve the easel in advance. Rental is $25/week from the Center)
Umbrella - not necessary, but helpful in intense sulight.
Brush cleaner. Use only odorless items, please!
Miscellaneous
Small Sketchbook and pencil for making quick thumbnail sketches.
Rags or paper towels
Hat, sunblock and water bottle for working outdoors (and maybe bug dope!)
Photos to work from. Although this is intended to be a plein air workshop, in the event of inclement weather -- rain, excessive wind, snow, etc. -- we will work in the studio from photos.
