Jan Thompson

Into the Light - Pastels

INTO THE LIGHT describes my technique for this pastel painting class to be offered in beautiful Tubac, Arizona. We will start with the darkest darks, either by paper color or pastel values and washes on the papers. We will move toward the light by progressively using lighter, softer pastels. I will discuss what pastel is in case you are a beginner.

We will try to work from your photos (bring some of your favorites) and we may go Plein Aire one day. Think about composition and contrast in your photos. I will have some too.

Any skill level is fine as we all enjoy critique and learning from each other. We will probably discuss how one can become a slave to photos and how to get away from “pure copying”. I hope to talk about shape, value, edges and composition while we attempt to create the illusion of 3-D on a 2-D surface. We will practice looking at our world (wood, grass, sky, water, etc.) then attempt to express our concepts on paper.

It is my hope that we can convey these responses to our viewers with some great paintings after a class. Whether or not you have ever used pastels, I know you will enjoy their immediacy and vibrant colors. Pastel is like drawing and painting at the same time. Beauty is all around us.

Most of all we will have fun!

Gallery

Biography

Janet R. Thompson grew up in the southwest and attended the University of Oklahoma where she majored in commercial art.

After marriage, she relocated to the east coast studying pastel portraiture with Daniel Greene at the Art Students League in NYC. She worked in photography studios as a colorist and became a member of the National Guild of Scientific Illustrators, the Women’s Caucus for the Arts and several local art societies in the east.

After a successful exhibit in the Cork Gallery at Lincoln Center, she headed back to her beloved west. Jan’s varied career next included magazine production at Phillips Petroleum, fashion illustration, public relations and jewelry manufacturing in New Mexico. After 15 years in the jewelry business, Jan and her husband, John sold everything and “retired” to Creede, Colorado. They next opened Loverings/Jthompson Gallery on Main Street to display Jan’s artwork and John’s silverwork.

She divides her time between studios in Creede, Chloride, New Mexico and recently purchased a studio in Rio Rico, Arizona. She is a member of the Colorado and New Mexico Pastel Societies. Her work hangs in collections from Massaschusetts to California. Jan has had several shows in the Creede Repertory Theatre and is represented by the Wild Spirit Gallery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and the Firedworks Gallery in Alamosa, Colorado. She teaches pastel painting workshops at her Main Street studio during the summer months, as well as winter workshops in Tubac, Arizona.

Jan’s poster, “Standing Ovation” was selected by the Creede Repertory Theatre for 2008.

Check out the schedule and print out a sign up sheet

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