In this workshop beginning to advanced students will explore ways to create unique, personal works of art based on their own reference photos. Participants will learn how to find dynamic compositions with strong focal points and push color to enhance their vision. We will step away from the confinement of exact “copying” of reference materials and move toward finding our own interpretation of a scene.

Day One will begin with a short demonstration using a tonal underpainting to create a halftone “structure” on which to build a pastel painting. We’ll discuss how to crop into photos for various compositional options and how to loosely block in dark and medium areas that establish a value plan, before adding color.

Day Two will begin with another short demo using a colorful watercolor underpainting which uses complimentary colors to create an impressionistic, “vibrating” effect. After creating several value sketches, emphasis will be on students painting loosely and using strong marks to strengthen their chosen composition.

ABOUT THE ARTIST: Whether painting landscapes, interiors or figures, Jill Stefani Wagner’s primary focus is always “light” and how it affects the scene she’s trying to capture. Working in pastel and oil, she approaches painting as a sculptor would, carving out the nuances of light and shadow. An avid plein air artist, Jill paints landscapes in Europe and in plein air festivals around the U.S. During the cold winter months in Michigan, she paints in her studio.

Jill’s paintings have been juried into many national pastel exhibits and have been honored with prestigious awards. Pastel Journal Magazine gave her paintings six Honorable Mentions in their Pastel 100 Competitions. One of her pastel paintings was recently on the cover of Plein Air Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur and Pastel Journal often feature her work. She’s been designated a Master Pastelist by the Pastel Society of America and the International Association of Pastel Societies. Jill has been Pastel Faculty at the 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 and 2023 Plein Air Conventions. She’s been featured on Eric Rhoads Live presentations and also on the Plein Air Podcast. Her 2 videos featuring her “5-Step Pastel Painting” technique are available from Streamline publishing HERE.

Jill Stefani Wagner received a B.F.A. in painting from The University of Michigan School of Art. She owned an award-winning advertising firm in Ann Arbor, before “seeing the light” and becoming a full-time artist.

Visit Jill’s website at www.jillwagnerart.com. Follow Jill on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/jill.s.wagner
Follow Jill on Instagram at: @jillwagnerart

Click to Register