Knob Meadow Pastel Workshop

I'm giving a workshop at Artists' Attic on January 29, 2011. The subject for one of my demonstrations is 'Knob Meadow Evening." This scene is a special place for me on our farm in West Virginia. When I stand in Knob Meadow it's like being in the opening scene of the "Sound of Music."


Step 1 - Draw in the basic shapes and consider the composition. This is a good time to rub out problems with a paper towel and make changes. Start adding the shadow areas using prussian blue pastel.


Step 2 - Add in the sunshine areas with orange pastel and light sky areas with a gold and cream pastel.


Step 3 - Start adding local color to the shadow and light areas. Local color is the actual color of the object or scene such as an apple is red


Step 4 - Continue adding lighter colors and adjust the value and color choices.


Step 5 - Adjust the color choices to create a unified whole where the colors work together to produce a believable scene. As long as your values are correct the color your choose does not have to be realistic. You can use a light pink, light peach or yellow instead of light blue in the sky. You can use purple, dark blue, dark maroon instead of dark green in the shadow areas of the hay.


Step 6 - The final step is to add the daisies. Light blue in the shadow area and white in the sunny areas. By adjusting your color choices to light blue in the shadow area the daisies will appear to be in shadow. Remember white in a shadow area can be light blue and have more interest than gray as the eye may see it. Color can be descriptive or emotive. I choose more expressive colors than purely descriptive.