Mark-Making with Pastel with Amy Fichter

Concept

Bring your pastel paintings to life by blending less and mark-making more! Analyze works by historical and contemporary pastel artists and experiment with the various forms of chalk pastel, including pan pastel, pastel pencils, and hard, medium, and soft pastel sticks. Discover the advantages of each material and how to layer them for surprising effects.

Experience

Throughout the two days work from your own source imagery, as well as newly photographed source material captured during the workshop. Demonstrations, hands-on practice, and individualized feedback are provided. Leave with one or two works finished or ready to be finished that feel alive with color and your unique artist's touch.

Skill Level

All levels welcome. Some prior experience helpful.

Instructor

Amy Fichter was trained in classical figure drawing and has been teaching it daily for over twenty years. As an educator, she has a deep regard for the tradition of constructive drawing. Learning that methodology changed Amy's life as an artist and is one she shares with her students. Her creative work includes figure drawings in soft pastel that honor the women in her life and their relationship to their environments. She also works in photography and printmaking and has shown over 70 exhibitions regionally, nationally, and internationally. When not in the studio, she lifts weights and competes in Crossfit and bodybuilding, reads, gardens, and spends time with her husband and cats. Amy earned her MFA from the University of South Carolina and teaches at UW-Stout.