The Lons: pastel

The Course: Pastel is an exciting medium that is delightful in its physical ease of use and rewarding in its flexibility.  Colours can be mixed and blended on the paper, and are available in a huge range of colours and tones. Pastel is particularly useful in painting plein air as it is easy to transport, and there is no mixing of colour or cleaning brushes. Nor are pastels subject to the weather conditions or humidity and heat.  They are excellent for the beginner whilst having endless creative avenues for the experienced artist.

In the lushness of the tropics, using the directness and vibrancy of pastels, you’ll learn to create paintings that capture atmosphere and light in a moment in time.  You’ll be studying seascapes, landscapes and flowers and foliage. Each day will begin with a quick demonstration of possible views with discussion.

Beach scene: pastel

You will learn to look for the main shapes, and to compose a balanced composition with the aid of a view finder to visualise the painting. Each student is encouraged to develop their own style and application; Nola gives individual assistance and encouragement and emphasizes personal style and interpretation.

She makes sure you understand the benefits of certain techniques, such as glazing and layering techniques to add depth and vibrancy. You will make a colour chart on a strip of paper which is useful as you are not searching for the right colour all the time before starting painting.

Everyone will be able to complete at least one or more paintings a day. They will also be shown how to take photos or quick sketches of what they are painting: this is useful as an added resource to translate into larger more serious paintings at home.

Price:

AUD $1800 twin share

Single supplement: $350
Non-painting partners: $850

Program Includes

Return airport transfers from Savusavu to Daku Resort.
7 nights accommodation at Daku Resort in traditional bures with private facilities.
Breakfasts, lunches and dinners are provided.
Course fees
Lectures and excursions as indicated.
Program Excludes
Flights to Savusavu. We are happy to quote on these and book them for you if requested. Flight prices fluctuate according to demand.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance.
Optional activities not listed on the program.
Costs of a personal nature such as laundry, massages, private trips.
Meals taken in transit at the airport.

Bookings

For enquiries contact us or call (02) 8094 1613 or email susan@paradisecourses.com

To make a booking please use our booking form.

Nola Cameron with female figure (pastel)

Teacher Nola Cameron

“If there is one thing I can pass on to students, it is the joy of painting with pastels to set them on a journey to create images to tell a story and evoke emotion or simply delight in colour harmonies.”

Nola started out 25 years ago working in oils with Walter Magiliton. A few years later she discovered pastels and from then on was won over. She majored in Art at Teachers College completing her Diploma of Education, and taught art in primary schools for many years. Working with children gave her a particular insight into creativity and she learned how to bring out the trueness of an original vision, something that is easily inhibited as we get older.

Art has always been an important part of her life. She had the ability to draw from a very early age, and although she worked in other mediums she prefers to work in pastels. “I love the expediency and the pure colour it generates.  It can be vibrant or as subtle as you wish.  I don’t have a favourite subject, I do landscape, portraits, commissions, still life and florals and figure studies.  I love to create paintings that stimulate the imagination and senses with the use of colour tone and subject matter.  My passion for pastels has been a rewarding journey for over 20 years.  I like to inspire others to take on the challenge of creating works of art with this delightful medium.”

Nola has also studied colour theory with Catherine Hamilton, oils with Barbara McCallum and pastels with Joseph Attard. Following 28 years of teaching and painting part time, Nola now paints and tutors full time.  She exhibits regularly and her work can be viewed on Facebook Profile Name; Nola Cameron.

The Programme

The programme is structured around morning workshops with afternoons for activities and free time to enjoy a massage, snorkelling, relaxing by the pool or continuing to paint.

Saturday 12 October
Domestic flight to Daku Resort in Savusavu.
6.00pm    Welcome ceremony
7.00pm     Dinner

Sunday 13 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Lunch
2.00pm     Tapa demonstration
Afternoon     Free time
7.00pm     Dinner

Monday 14 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Lunch
Afternoon     Trip to Savusavu Town to see local market and shops
7.00pm     Dinner

Tuesday 15 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Picnic lunch
2.00pm     Swimming at Devodara Beach
7.00pm     Dinner

Wednesday 16 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Lunch
2.00pm     Coconut demonstration
3.00pm     Walk up hill behind Daku
7.00pm     Dinner

Thursday 17 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Lunch
Afternoon     Free time for optional activities
7.00pm     Dinner

Friday 18 October
9.00am – 12.30pm    Workshop
1.00pm     Lunch
2.00pm     Visit to local village
7.00pm     Final local dinner

Saturday 19 October
Fly from Savusavu back to Nadi
International flight home

Note: the order of workshops may vary depending upon weather conditions.

MATERIALS LIST:  SUGGESTED BASIC REQUIREMENTS

1.    Pastels – a good range of soft and/or hard pastels dependent on your subject choice.  Include D517 AS Flinders Blue Violet and D517 AS Flinders Red Violet, especially painting landscapes.  For those that are trying pastels for the first time, Rembrandt make good half stick sets of 30, 60 and 90.  Full range of cerulean blue, cool blues and aqua.
2.    Paper – I recommend AS Colourfix AS Suede or Canson Mi-Tientes papers.  Choose the dominant colour of your subject or it’s complimentary.  If in doubt, AS Elephant or Aubergine as well as the Twilight colour in Mi-Tientes are suitable for any subject.
3.    A large enough board to hold your preferred painting size (light foam board).
4.    Bulldog clips – 4 to 6.
5.    Soft rags and/or tissues.  Masking tape (optional)
6.    Wet Ones and Eraser.
7.    1 x thin stick of willow charcoal (not compressed).
8.    An old flat bristle brush for removing pastel errors.
9.    A scrape of cardboard to hold your photo reference and to clip to the side of your painting (optional).
10.    Notebook and pen, HB pencil for note taking and thumbnail sketching of composition.
11.    Plastic vegetable tray.
12.    Plastic bag to cover paintings.
13.    Apron with pockets.
14.    Camera
15.    Optional A34 folder with 20 plastic sleeves to protect paintings.
16.    Reference material – in case of inclement weather, photos enlarged of your choice of subject.

If you have any queries regarding this list email me at ianandnola@internode.on.net or call me on 0413 952 324.