Community & Business
9 June, 2025
Creativity flourishes at pastel workshop
The Pittsworth Art Group hosted a two day workshop ‘Soft Pastel Skills and Still Life Studies’ on the weekend with New Zealand artist and Master Pastellist, Maxine Thompson.
The workshop was a sellout with members taking part from all over the Toowoomba Region.
It was aimed at beginners and intermediates with a focus on drawing still life objects, colour mixing, understanding how different strokes create texture, drawing transparent glass and how to apply light and dark to develop shapes.
“The workshop presented an inspiring showcase of individual artistry, as each artist applies lessons learnt from their unique topics,” Janine Potter from the Pittsworth Art Group said.
“The diversity of approaches and the depth of creativity were remarkable, illustrating not only the effectiveness of the workshop and its tutor but the innate talent and dedication of each participant.
“Each artist brought their topic to life with authenticity, skill, imagination, leaving a lasting impression on Maxine,” Ms Potter said.
Ms Thompson is well known in art circles around the nation and can boast of being named as ‘Master Pastellist’ by the Pastel Society of Australia and Pastel Artists of New Zealand.
A considerable portion of her work is commissioned portraits, for which she takes great pride in capturing the character and essence of each of her subjects.
Ms Thompson has toured New Zealand and Australia extensively, and has taught in the Greek Isles, Morocco and Alaska.
Workshop participants were Donna Hockey, Lyn Johnston, Andrea Stephens, Vicki Murphy, Char Grimes, Pauline Rorich, Ashley Rorich, Kath Purvis, Harry Hincapie, Maree Cameron and Jenny Thompson.
Jeanne Cotter, a dedicated Pittsworth Art Group member, has arranged eight workshops at the Gallery for the year.
The next workshop ‘Mastering the Art of Originality: Painting with Confidence in Acrylics or Oil’ will be on 5th and 6th July with highly anticipated and renowned tutor Todd Whisson.
