GWENNETH
BARTH-WHITE
American-born Swiss international artist Gwenneth Barth-White is a Maître Pastelliste and Vice-President of the 150-year-old Société des Pastellistes de France; she's a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the IAPS Master Circle. Her work has been exhibited in Geneva, Gstaad, New York, Toronto, Paris, and in many French and American venues.
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“I’m very honoured to have a chance to be part of Australian Pastel Expo. I’ve always been intrigued by the outstanding artists in this country. This will be a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the world-wide network of pastel artists. Exploring the myriad of possibilities in artistic expression has always been a siren’s call for me. Finding a creative diluted ground for the juxtaposition of pastel…how exciting! Working on a rough surface? Or with strong colour, or just a whisper? Maybe just a simple drawing is enough, but how about a wonderful, rich, unctuous painting? All of this is endlessly inspiring.
The human figure still remains my main inspiration: the expressions and moods encompassed in a human presence. How a person relates to existence...this catches me in a place where I simply have to react. I think that attendees can make the most of the Expo experience by putting all prior knowledge and judgement aside, in order to fully explore and absorb what is offered."
Where to find Gwenneth...
GWENNETH
BARTH-WHITE
American-born Swiss international artist Gwenneth Barth-White is a Maître Pastelliste and Vice-President of the 150-year-old Société des Pastellistes de France; she's a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the IAPS Master Circle. Her work has been exhibited in Geneva, Gstaad, New York, Toronto, Paris, and in many French and American venues.
​
“I’m very honoured to have a chance to be part of Australian Pastel Expo. I’ve always been intrigued by the outstanding artists in this country. This will be a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the world-wide network of pastel artists. Exploring the myriad of possibilities in artistic expression has always been a siren’s call for me. Finding a creative diluted ground for the juxtaposition of pastel…how exciting! Working on a rough surface? Or with strong colour, or just a whisper? Maybe just a simple drawing is enough, but how about a wonderful, rich, unctuous painting? All of this is endlessly inspiring.
The human figure still remains my main inspiration: the expressions and moods encompassed in a human presence. How a person relates to existence...this catches me in a place where I simply have to react. I think that attendees can make the most of the Expo experience by putting all prior knowledge and judgement aside, in order to fully explore and absorb what is offered."
Where to find Gwenneth...
GWENNETH
BARTH-WHITE
American-born Swiss international artist Gwenneth Barth-White is a Maître Pastelliste and Vice-President of the 150-year-old Société des Pastellistes de France; she's a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the IAPS Master Circle. Her work has been exhibited in Geneva, Gstaad, New York, Toronto, Paris, and in many French and American venues.
​
“I’m very honoured to have a chance to be part of Australian Pastel Expo. I’ve always been intrigued by the outstanding artists in this country. This will be a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the world-wide network of pastel artists. Exploring the myriad of possibilities in artistic expression has always been a siren’s call for me. Finding a creative diluted ground for the juxtaposition of pastel…how exciting! Working on a rough surface? Or with strong colour, or just a whisper? Maybe just a simple drawing is enough, but how about a wonderful, rich, unctuous painting? All of this is endlessly inspiring.
The human figure still remains my main inspiration: the expressions and moods encompassed in a human presence. How a person relates to existence...this catches me in a place where I simply have to react. I think that attendees can make the most of the Expo experience by putting all prior knowledge and judgement aside, in order to fully explore and absorb what is offered."
GWENNETH
BARTH-WHITE
American-born Swiss international artist Gwenneth Barth-White is a Maître Pastelliste and Vice-President of the 150-year-old Société des Pastellistes de France; she's a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the IAPS Master Circle. Her work has been exhibited in Geneva, Gstaad, New York, Toronto, Paris, and in many French and American venues.
​
“I’m very honoured to have a chance to be part of Australian Pastel Expo. I’ve always been intrigued by the outstanding artists in this country. This will be a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the world-wide network of pastel artists. Exploring the myriad of possibilities in artistic expression has always been a siren’s call for me. Finding a creative diluted ground for the juxtaposition of pastel…how exciting! Working on a rough surface? Or with strong colour, or just a whisper? Maybe just a simple drawing is enough, but how about a wonderful, rich, unctuous painting? All of this is endlessly inspiring.
The human figure still remains my main inspiration: the expressions and moods encompassed in a human presence. How a person relates to existence...this catches me in a place where I simply have to react. I think that attendees can make the most of the Expo experience by putting all prior knowledge and judgement aside, in order to fully explore and absorb what is offered."
GWENNETH
BARTH-WHITE
American-born Swiss international artist Gwenneth Barth-White is a Maître Pastelliste and Vice-President of the 150-year-old Société des Pastellistes de France; she's a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, a member of the IAPS Master Circle. Her work has been exhibited in Geneva, Gstaad, New York, Toronto, Paris, and in many French and American venues.
​
“I’m very honoured to have a chance to be part of Australian Pastel Expo. I’ve always been intrigued by the outstanding artists in this country. This will be a wonderful opportunity to consolidate the world-wide network of pastel artists. Exploring the myriad of possibilities in artistic expression has always been a siren’s call for me. Finding a creative diluted ground for the juxtaposition of pastel…how exciting! Working on a rough surface? Or with strong colour, or just a whisper? Maybe just a simple drawing is enough, but how about a wonderful, rich, unctuous painting? All of this is endlessly inspiring.
The human figure still remains my main inspiration: the expressions and moods encompassed in a human presence. How a person relates to existence...this catches me in a place where I simply have to react. I think that attendees can make the most of the Expo experience by putting all prior knowledge and judgement aside, in order to fully explore and absorb what is offered."
Where to find Gwenneth...
Based in Sydney, Tricia Taylor is a Master Pastellist with the Pastel Society of Australia and has won many awards including Pastellist of the Year 2010. Tricia’s work has been published in a variety of national art magazines including Australian Artist, Art Edit and Paint and Draw Magazine UK. Teaching from beginners to advanced students for many years Tricia her workshops are in demand in Australia and internationally including Fiji, New Zealand and the USA.
Unison Pastels, a handmade pastel company form the UK have endorsed Tricia’s artwork by creating the Tricia Taylor pastel sets. Seascape, Rock and Earth and Sand colour selections are available on her website. With their 30th Anniversary in 2017 they have recently made Tricia an Accredited Unison Artist.
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MATERIALS EXPLAINED
Soft Pastels vs Hard Pastels
Pastel painting takes you back to the origins of colour. Lying somewhere between sketching and painting, pastels encompass the best of both. Pure enjoyment resulting in beautiful art works.
A Guide to Softness
Soft Pastels vary in their degree of softness and we are often asked about this. The list below is arranged from softest to hardest and is based on our experience.
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Ultra Soft Pastels
Very Soft Pastels
Creamy Soft Pastels
Medium Soft Pastels
Hard Pastels
Pan Pastels
United States, 92 Colours
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Schmincke
Germany, 400 Colours
Blue Earth
United States, 336 Colours
Art Spectrum Extra Soft
Australia, 180 Colours
Sennelier
France, 525 Colours
Terry Ludwig
United States, Selected Sets
Unison
England, 402 Colours
Townsend Soft Form
United States, 408 Colours
Townsend Terrages
United States, 190 Colours
Girault
France, 300 Colours
Rembrandt
Holland, 218 Colours
Art Spectrum
Australia, 154 Colours
Holbein
Japan, 144 Colours
United States
Papers
Colourfix
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Colourfix is a sanded type paper with two main grades which are Origianl and Smooth. It is available in 20 colours in sheets (50x70cm, A3, oversize A4) and pads.
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Original is a Medium tooth paper and the most popular. Fixative is optional. Suitable for underpainting.
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Smooth is a very fine tooth paper. Fixative advisable if heavy layering is used. Suitable for underpainting.
Colourfix Optimum Boards
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The Optimum Foamcore Boards are extremely strong but lightweight and have the Colourfix Original surface applied to them. Currently available in a 41x51cm size.
Mi Tientes Touch
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Touch is a sanded type paper with a Medium Fine tooth. It is available in 14 colours in sheets (55x75cm) and pads. Fixative advisable. Suitable for underpainting on coloured area.
Mi Teintes
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This is a traditional drawing paper with cotton content. The paper is 160gsm and has a grain which is used to hold the pastel. Sheets are 50x65cm and pads are also available. Fixative is recommended. Suitable for light underpainting.
Fabriano Artistico
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This is an artist quality watercolour paper. It is 100% cotton, 300gsm and comes in sheets (76x56cm) and pads. The grain of the paper helps to hold the pastel. Often for mixed media use as opposed to straight pastel paintings. Suitable for underpainting. Tutor will advise on fixative.
Pastelmat
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Pastelmat is a flat grip paper. It holds a very good amount of pastel whilst its relatively flat surface allows for detail when painting. It is available as sheets (70x100cm, 50x70cm, 50x35cm, 35x25cm and A4), boards (70x100cm, 50x70cm) as well as pads. Fixative rarely required. Suitable for underpainting.
Sennelier Pastel Card
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Pastel Card is a flat grip paper. The surface is relatively flat but quite abraisive. It holds a good amount of pastel and allows for detail. Fixative rarely required. Not suitable for underpainting, dry work only.
UART Papers
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Uart is a sanded paper with a perfectly uniform surface from edge to edge. It comes in seven different grades.
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240 Grade, Very Rough.
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280 Grade, Rough.
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320 Grade, Medium Rough.
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400 Grade, Medium.
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500 Grade, Medium Fine.
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600 Grade, Fine.
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800 Grade, Extra Fine.
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400, 500 and 600 are the most popular grades with 800 being a favourite of pencil lovers. The paper is available in sheets (68x101cm, 53x68cm, 30x46cm and rolls). Suitable for underpainting and fixative is optional. The rougher the grade the more pastel is held. The finer the grade the more detial is possible.
Ampersand Pastelbord
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Pastelboard is an artists hardboard coated with a Medium Fine abraisive surface. Fixative optional but generally required. Suitable for underpainting.
Fisher 400
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A sanded paper you will need to order from overseas. Use Uart 600 as the alternative.
Yupo
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Yupo is a flat synthetic paper often used for mixed media work. It is available in pads and sheets (A3, A4 and larger sizes). Suitable for underpainting. Tutor will advise on fixative.
Gatorboard (see Colourfix Optimum Boards).
Other Items
Liquitex Clear Gesso - a normal acrylic gesso which is colourless.
Art Spectrum Gesso - normal acrylic gesso.
Art Spectrum Colourfix Primers - the Colourfix surface available as a primer which can be applied to most clean surfaces. You'll need a small foam roller etc.
Pigmented Inks - many ranges are available including Schmincke Aerocolor, Golden High Flow, FW Inks and Art Spectrum.
Watercolours - many ranges available including Schmincke Horadam, Sennelier, Holbein, Maimeri Blu Watercolours and Daniel Smith.