Pastel Painting Demo

Clark Mitchell will demonstrate making a pastel paining on sanded paper at the El Cerrito Art Assn. meeting at 7:00 pm on August 10 at the El Cerrito Community Center.

Rather than working on one piece from beginning to end, he’ll have examples of several stages in progress. After a review of materials and information on scene selection, composition and sketching, Clark will make an underpainting with wonderfully vibrant colors, working from one of his small plein air paintings. He will then touch on the later stages and cover questions to ask to decide if a painting is finished.

Clark Mitchell very early discovered a love of the natural world. Given a set of fine old Schmincke pastels when quite young, he quickly embraced the medium.

He received a bachelor’s degree in art from Colorado College in the seventies and moved to San Francisco to continue his studies. Through personal exploration as well as work with various teachers, notably Albert Handell, Mitchell has developed the talent to create both tightly rendered scenes as well as looser, more abstract suggestions in both pastels and oils.

Over thirty years ago, Mitchell left San Francisco with his now-husband and moved north to the beautiful Sonoma County wine country. Yearly painting expeditions continue to provide challenge as well as inspiration.

Mitchell has won Best of Show awards at the Laguna Beach and Maui Plein Air Invitationals. His paintings have been on the cover of the Pastel Journal, Southwest Art, and American Artist magazines.

The August 10 meeting will be held in the Garden Room of the El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. The evening begins at 7 pm with social time and a “mini art show” of members’ work. A brief business meeting is held at 7:30, followed by the speaker.

El Cerrito Art Association meetings are open to the public, and visitors and new members are always welcome. For further information about this program, contact Barbara Daniell at 510-277-6996 or bdaniell1943@gmail.com. The Community Center is handicapped-accessible.

Calendar listing:

What: Clark Mitchell Demonstrates Making a Pastel Painting on Sanded Paper
Where: Garden Room, El Cerrito Community Center, 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito
When: Monday, August 10, 2015, 7:00 pm
Cost: Free
Contact: Barbara Daniell: 510-277-6996 or bdaniell1943@gmail.com