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| Joel Spector, an adjunct art
professor at WestConn, was invited to do a pastel demonstration for the
Candlewood League of Artists at the New Fairfield Public Library on May 16.
Joel explained a little of his background. He began as a fashion illustrator in New York and worked with many of the women's magazines including Women's Wear Daily and Good Housekeeping. After leaving this field, he became a freelance illustrator and is now doing it full time. He said that when working commercially it is easier to fine tune your work. |
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 Joel explained that he does not like to work on a white background. He uses a darker color, add a charcoal outline and then sprays with a fixadent. Before adding the blue for the sky, Joel adds a few darker background colors. |
 As he worked, Joel explained the process of working with "colored chalk." He add the lighter clouds, using yellows, pinks and lighter blues for highlights. He explains that a painter must have every color and shades of color to complete a picture. A good starter kit should have about 96 colors. |
 He also talked about framing, keeping a half inch between the work and the glass or plexiglass. |
 Joel explains that pastels work with friction and the grounds of chalk stick to a grainier surface. |
 He always works upright because the dust falls on to the picture. He also tilts the surface slightly forward. |
 Working in a painterly fashion, an artist creates a mess first and works his way out of the mess by adding layers of color. |
 Start adding the details and the trees being observant of the colors outside. The cools versus the warms create a contrast. |
 Then, because as an artist, the painter is flexible, change the blues into a sunset. |
 Each painting begins by working the farthest away and painting forward so it does not look pasted on. Bring the colors together and then go back to adjust. |
 He said, "People get caught up in what they are doing and are often afraid to make changes quickly." |
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 Joel finishes the pastel with a few leaves and a shadow and says good night. |
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