Online Class: O’Keeffe’s Trees in Pastels

Georgia O’Keeffe was surrounded by trees at Lake George and transformed them into the subject of twenty-five canvases. In 1921, she told Frances O’Brien, “If only people were like trees . . . I might like them better.”

In this class, participants will start with a brief overview of Georgia’s O’Keeffe’s tree paintings. Then, participants will begin their journey into pastels by defining large shapes and tones, creating an underpainting with pastel and alcohol, and exploring layering to develop vibrant color and harmony.

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This class is suitable for youth ages 12 and up. Children are welcome to participate alongside their adults.

Space is limited, reservations required.

This program will take place via the video conferencing app – ZOOM. Details for accessing the Zoom meeting will be with your receipt upon registering and again sent via email the day prior. Please register in advance in order to access the program. Note that all program times are in Mountain Time.

Online classes are not recorded. Online classes are offered only as a live and interactive experience.

Supplies needed for this class: 

• View of a tree through your window or a photo of a tree you like. Please choose a photo with clear contrasts if possible.
• Uart 12 x 16 Premium Mounted Board, #600
• Soft Pastels
• Kneaded eraser
• Xacto knife
• HB graphite pencil for sketching
• Rubbing Alcohol, Brush and cup for underpainting
• Pastel pencils in various colors for detail work
• White charcoal pencil
• Mask (always wear for pastel work!)
• Paper towel for tapping off dust
• Winsor & Newton Artguard Barrier Cream
• Fixative for the finished drawing
• Hand wipes

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About the Instructor:

Deborah Shea was born and raised in San Francisco. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art and Design at UC Davis, where she studied with Wayne Thiebaud and Roland Peterson. A San Francisco Native, Deb spent over 20 years as a creative director, designer, and illustrator before becoming a full-time fine artist in 2017. She prefers to work in large-scale paintings, drawing the viewer in to experience her art. She has won numerous awards in juried and solo exhibitions and was one of seven artists chosen for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Exhibition for 2023 in Redwood City, California. She conducts pastel workshops and courses at Filoli, Pacific Art League, The Society of West Coast Artists, and her studio at Art Bias in San Carlos, California. Deb is pursuing her MFA at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. She currently resides in Redwood City, California.

This class is being offered on a sliding scale.

$10; minimal fee.

$20; covers the cost of the class.

$30; covers the cost of the class, plus a contribution to support educational programs.