Soft pastels have taken center stage this week, as Little Ashcan dive into the vibrant world of colors and gradients. In our latest session, students were introduced to the versatile medium of soft pastels, learning various techniques to create stunning artworks.
During this past class, students began by familiarizing themselves with soft pastels through swatches & gradients. These small, rectangular strokes of color allowed them to experiment with different shades and explore the medium's texture and blending capabilities.
A gradient refers to a gradual transition from one color to another, creating a smooth blend of hues. This concept is the cornerstone of many artistic compositions, adding depth and dimension to artworks.
Next, students delved into various techniques to create gradients using soft pastels:
Layering: By layering different colors on top of each other, students achieved rich and complex color blends, building up the intensity gradually.
Blending: Using their fingers or blending tools, students gently blended adjacent colors together to create seamless transitions and soft edges.
Feathering: This delicate technique involved using the edge of a pastel stick to lightly feather the colors into each other, producing a subtle and ethereal effect.
Scumbling: Students experimented with scumbling, applying pastel strokes in a haphazard manner to create a textured surface and interesting color variations.
Stay tuned for more colorful adventures with Little Ashcan!
For inquiries about our Little Ashcan program or to schedule a trial class, please contact us at infolittleneck@ashcanart.com or call 718-819-0004.