Sunday 2nd April 2017
Subject: Khan - Black Leopard
Medium: Pastel on Black Velour
Length: 1-day
Included in the workshop: All materials, light refreshments, all tuition.
Suitable for: Beginners & advanced artists
Location: Big Cat Sanctuary (WHF), Headcorn Rd, Smarden, Ashford, TN27 8PJ
Times: 10am-4pm (arrive 9.30am)
In the first of these ever-popular workshop days at the Big Cat Sanctuary for 2017, we’ll be paying tribute to a former favourite of many, Khan, the black leopard.
This is truly an amazing day, even for those who have experienced it several times before (including myself!)
The day begins, after coffee and introductions, with a guided photography tour. This is made all the more special as, unlike zoos and some other sanctuaries, we get to take close-up photos of the cats from inside the safety barrier. These photos will provide you with valuable and original references for your own future artworks, whichever medium you prefer to use.
The photography tour takes us up to lunchtime, which you can enjoy sitting next to Nias, the Sumatran tiger’s enclosure or wander over to see the mountain lions just a few yards away from where we are based for the day. At break times and after the workshop, you can visit the well-stocked gift shop and purchase a variety of souvenirs of your special day.
After lunch, we will begin the art workshop, in which our subject will be Khan the magnificent black leopard who, sadly, is no longer with us.
People often ask me, ‘What is the best way to paint a black cat?’ My usual reply is to use a black support, whether it’s a painted canvas, black drawing paper or, as in this case, black velour.
You will soon find that not having to paint all that lovely black fur, especially against a dark background, makes life so much easier, and saves you time.
During the afternoon’s workshop you will learn how best to get your image onto the black velour, before progressing to the all-important tonal sketch (underpainting) using only a hard white pastel.
After that, I will show you how to ‘block in’ a few colours to add subtle depth to your painting, without flooding it with too much, before finishing with impact highlights and some atmospheric lighting effects.
Your finished pastel painting will have much more of a dramatic effect than it would if painted on a more ‘usual’ toned paper, due to the impact of the black velour.
All materials and light refreshments provided. Please bring your own lunch and an easel (table or standing) if you prefer to use one. Don’t forget your camera and some sensible footwear/clothing.
Remember too that a generous proportion of the workshop fee is donated to WHF for upkeep and conservation.