Plein Air Pastels

Pastel is a great medium to take into the landscape, says Barbara Danser, president of the newly formed Pastel Society of New Hampshire. The vibrancy of the medium — each stick is almost pure pigment — and the transparency of the stroke make it ideal for rendering in plein air. Pastel artists lay in their values from dark to light, so the finishing touches that lay on top, often the light tones, can evoke the kiss of daylight on the land.

The society has about 100 members who meet frequently in the warm months for group “paint outs” or have meetings about framing, techniques or general critiques. A membership show is planned for September 28 at the Jaffrey Civic Center.

Pastels are a great value for the collector. Unfortunately for the painters, in the U.S. they are not valued as high as oil paintings. In Europe, Danser explains, they are given more respect and are on par with oils.

To see more members work, visit www.pastelsocietynh.com, the pastel society Web site, or plan to visit a show on view now until July 14 at the Red Roof Gallery in Enfield.

MEMBERS WORK:
1 Teresa McCue, “Dreaming Eastward” 2 Robin Nuse, “Autumn Glow” 3 Caren-Marie Michel, “Pine Point Evening” 4 Susan deLesseps, “Coastal Pines”