Immerse yourself in color and possibilities with soft pastel! This medium is versatile, immediate, and expressive, and allows you to combine the best of drawing and painting. Working from a variety of subject matter and sources, we’ll complete thought-provoking exercises that provide greater understanding of the medium and its capabilities. We will be working from life in the studio and out of doors (still life and some nature study on campus), as well as working from photographs, sketches, compositional and value studies, and your own imagination.

Beginners will be exposed to an in-depth look into the variety of pastels, papers, application styles, and techniques available to the pastel artist. In addition to technical skill development, intermediate and advanced students will be encouraged to consider content, theme and emotion in their paintings—and possibly stretch themselves to uncharted territory! I specialize in adapting to each participant’s personality and skill level and provide plenty of one-on-one interaction, as well as doing frequent demonstrations. Useful handouts, a variety of pastel papers for the exercises, and many other materials will be provided. Kay will contact students prior to class

Kay Brathol-Hostvet is an upbeat, enthusiastic and supportive instructor bringing a wealth of experiences to the classroom. In addition to working as a professional artist, she has been teaching workshops in drawing, design, pastel, acrylic painting and professional development for many years. Kay is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and has a bachelor of fine art degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, with concentrations in drawing and painting. Her works are in corporate and private collections around the Midwest. Her pastel paintings have been featured in The Pastel Journal and the Dane Arts (Dane County, Wisconsin) annual poster and calendar, and her acrylic paintings are included in North Light Books’ AcrylicWorks 2: Radical Breakthroughs. She works from her home studio in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and is represented by Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, Abel Contemporary Gallery in Stoughton, Wisconsin and Riverwood Art and Frame in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Level: All Levels