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From the Editor

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Cover Image
Peach Light
By
Lynn Howarth
The Scribbler Team
This issue is made by:
Ruth Mann,
Writing and proofreading
Jill Harker,
Editor, Proofreading, layout
Dorothea Schulz,
Translation, proofreading
Jim Humphreys,
Editor, writing
Marie France Oosterhof,
Writing
Rosie Farrell
Proofreading

Welcome to another edition of The

Scribbler, the months are passing so
quickly!

went on to get an Honourable mention

in the Pastel Journals 16th Annual Pastel
100 Competition, very well done Neva!

We have another full issue; meet our

guest judge for the March Get Dusty
competition, Laura Pollack, who
explains what motivates her and how
she came to be a pastel artist. We also
get a chance to see some of her lovely
work.

Wed also like to introduce you to two

new members, Sven Kinader and Norma
Priddis, welcome to you both, and we
have our regular selection of paintings in
the Members Gallery, its always a
pleasure to display examples of your
wonderful work!

We also hear from our member Neva

Rossi, who describes her visit to Assisi
in Italy, and how she found inspiration
for her painting of Magdalena which

And finally, Jim brings us the results of

the Black and White Challenge, which
show just how unique you all are in your
painting styles.
Keep happy, stay dusty!

Contact:
scribbler@pastelguild.org

Page 3
March Get Dusty Winners

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Jill Harker

Inside this issue

Page 6
Meet Our Guest Judge

Page 14
Members Gallery
A selection of our
members paintings

PAGE 7
Black and White Challenge

PAGE 10
Magdalena. May 2009

PAGE 11
Get Dusty Schedule

PAGE 12
Meet our new Members

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Get Dusty
The winner of the March Get Dusty is - Lynn Howarth

FIRST PLACE

Peach Light By Lynn Howarth

I was immediately
drawn to this
painting! I love the
boldness and
colour. The
contrasts are
wonderful and the
colour choices are
truly unique. The
drawing is powerful
with varying mass
and shapes, and the
background recedes
with lighter values of colours creating atmosphere. There is a beautiful aspect of
sunlight. It is so artistically unique that it truly stands out. The pastel technique is
very graphic and strong. The artist's values are very good, and the colour use is
extremely effective. Bravo!
SECOND PLACE

Autumn Beech by Dorothea Schulz

The wonderful perspective and dynamic angles of this
piece drew me right in to this painting. The rich use of
colour adds so much depth and liveliness. Clearly drawing
skill is excellent and the artist achieved a beautiful sense of
light. My eye travels up and then takes a turn toward the
downturned branches and over to the next tree keeping
me involved in the painting. There is some wonderful
mark making going on here. Wonderful pastel technique
and composition are both present. Though the main tree
is in the middle, there is an angle that makes it extremely
dynamic and creates great energy and a pleasing
tension. Great tonal values and contrast. Terrific painting!
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THIRD PLACE

Birches in Autumn Light

by Kirsten Birk
OOOOH! Nice contrast of light,
with excellent 'uplighting' and
lovely variations in warm and
cool. The rhythm of the trees is
lyrical and has a beautiful
compositional pattern. I really
enjoy the 'green' trunk hidden in
the back. It was a wonderful
surprise. The softness of the sky
and lost edges in the background
add atmosphere that creates the perfect mood. This painting has good bones and is
drawn well, with great artistic merit. I see strong pastel technique with nice
composition. The color use is very sensitive with great use of warm and cool. Beautiful
soft and hard edges. A truly lovely painting!
HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Along My Way
By
Marie-France Oosterhof
This is a wonderfully unique piece and my
favourite part is the red surprise. Even though
the trees are almost evenly spaced, there is an
asymmetry to the trees themselves that is very
pleasing . There is a sense of light and
wonderful use of colour and stroke and
value. I'm so drawn to this lovely painting. The
pastel technique is excellent, with varied
strokes, hard and soft, use of scratching, swipes.
A true gem!

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HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Birch Family
by
Ruth Mann
What a nice sense of light and composition. Here you
can see a wonderful use of 'sky holes'. The background
softens beautifully with a nice variation of tonal value
across the distance. I wouldn't mind sitting under those
trees! They seem happy and fresh with a mild spring or
fall sky full of diffused light. Drawing is very, very good, as
is the composition and pastel technique. The use of soft
and hard edges is wonderfully executed. This is a
sophisticated painting in its execution and
simplicity! Very well done!

English Oak By Ruth Mann

What a lovely sense of light and movement! A terrific
sky with broken colour. This piece shows a wonderful
variation of strokes and values. The drawing is very
good, and the pastel technique is excellent with fresh
wonderful marks! There are good tonal value contrasts
and wonderful soft and hard edges. This painting is just
full of character and so well done!

LIB painting challenge Spring 2015

The LIB landscape painting challenge is open to all users of our PGE photo library. Just go to LIB and have a look at
the photos in our new category 'LIB challenge spring 2015'.
The challenge will run for three months i.e. until June, 15th, 2015. The winner will get Mitchell Albala's book
'Landscape painting'. We hope to see a lot of entries!
Not yet a LIB member? It's very easy to join! The library rules can be found in the General Forum right at the
beginning. Just send a private message to Frankemmes or Theodorablau and state that you have read and
accepted the library rules.
Come join us and start painting!

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Introducing our Guest Judge:

Laura Pollack
I'd like to start by thanking Dorothea Schulz for the huge honour of inviting me as a judge for your
wonderful Society! It was a difficult job. I've critiqued art all my life but
to judge a show takes it all to another level! And the work of your
Society's members is amazing!
My whole life, I've been 'drawn' to art [pun intended!]. I remember my
first set of crayons at age four and colours have enthralled me ever
since. I was always drawing and doodling but I cannot say that my
artistic training was of a high calibre. I have an Undergraduate Degree
in Ceramics, Graphic Design and History of Art and went on to receive a
Master of Arts in Graphic Design. I then worked in Advertising for 30
years eventually owning my own Ad Agency. Only now, later in life,
after my career in advertising and seeing the boys off to college, can I
truly devote the time to bettering my artistic abilities. Still so far to
go....
I am very impatient and in all honesty pretty petulant and wanted
results FAST. But what I've finally learned was that there are simply no
shortcuts or substitutes for time at the easel. This last year has seen more understanding and perhaps
'growth' for the very fact that I spent as much as eight hours a day in my studio. I also try my hardest to
take as many workshops from artists I admire.
It is also important to understand the value of plein air painting. I'm pretty comfy in my studio and vowed
never to go outside painting, even when my whole set up was infested with aphids. However, painting
from life has made a difference in how I see. Photos simply don't
have the range and subtleties of values and colors. I don't get
outside enough but it is my goal for the future.
Painting isn't a hobby or past time for me... it's more of a
compulsion. I simply MUST PAINT and when I'm not at the easel for
long periods of time
I get very cranky.
So I wish all my
friends 'across the
pond' many years of
health for joyous
painting! And
remember, there
are no failures, only
more information!

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BLACK AND WHITE CHALLENGE

By
JIM HUMPHREYS
Many aspiring artists tend to simply plod along
painting things that they are comfortable with, and
tend not to stretch themselves in any way. After a
while, most get frustrated knowing that their
improvement is a lot less noticeable than they had
thought it would be. It is a fact that by accepting
challenges, taking on subjects that the artist does not
normally entertain, or using a limited number of
colours, lessons can be quickly learned. One such
challenge is to paint from a black and white
reference. The tonal aspect is already supplied, the
challenge here is to be able to select a good colour
range for the subject. Does the scene require mainly
cool, or warm colours, where would complimentary
colours help the scene most, and is there harmony within
the selected colours? This then is the challenge here. On
the right are the black and white references supplied for
members to paint from. Each of them is then shown in
colour, along with the submitted paintings.

Garden Gate: Reference supplied by Jim Humphreys.

Ruth Mann, Frank Schwietzer and Alina Budnitzky were the brave folk who painted this scene.
Three very creditable pieces of work. Between them there is colour harmony, intrigue brought
about by Ruths open gate, and a surprise suggestion of the festive season on the way with Franks
little Christmassy like trees beside the gate, suggesting further surprises beyond.

Frank Schwietzer

Alina Budnitzki

Ruth Mann

Water Lily: Reference supplied by Dorothea Schulz

Only one taker for this particular subject, possibly due
to it being added via Facebook rather than the forum.
Dolores Saul has produced a very lively and warm
painting of this subject with the complimentary
colours working excellently.
Dolores Saul

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The Field: Reference supplied by Jim Humphreys.

This was the most popular subject, painted by Dorothea Schulz, Alina Budnitzki, Zbynek Jablonecky, and
Ute Hansen. Between them, they have produced scenes varying from the threat of a heavy sky to a
dreamy and mysterious meadow where dreams could be found. Here you can find drama, serenity, peace
and warmth. These paintings show just how such a simple, uncomplicated scene, can be transformed into
vibrant and attractive pieces of art.

Dorothea Schulz

Zbynek Jablonecky

Alina Budnitzki

Ute Hansen

Zbynek Jablonecky

The Lake: Reference supplied by Ruth Mann

Only one person, Frank Schwietzer, attempted this one from Ruth. His first entry (1) was a very simplified
and slightly monochromatic version. In his second version, (2), he decided to pump up the colour aspect a
little, and very successfully.

Frank Schwietzer 1

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The Building: Reference supplied by Dorothea Schulz

Two version of this scene were posted. Clea Muller produced a soft version with good complimentary colours,
whereas I opted (as I am often tempted to do) for a more detailed version of the building.

Clea Muller

Jim Humphreys

Resting: Reference supplied by Jim Humphreys

Clea Muller, and Dorothea Shulz were tempted with this subject, and produced two entirely differing
versions. Clea chose to reverse the photo, (the only one to have done this with any of the subjects), and
produced a very cool, almost silhouette painting, while Dorotheas own inimitable style showed in her
version.

Dorothea Schulz

Clea Muller

Potirons: Reference supplied by Marie-France Oosterhof

Unfortunately at the moment, the original reference is not
available, so the black and white version is shown here. As
initially this was the only reference available other than my
own, I had to have a crack at it. I found the exercise very
enjoyable, which I hope was the same for all those that entered
into the spirit of the challenge.

Jim Humphreys

Go to the Atelier section of the forum to read the various comments made in the Colour from Black and
White Challenge In there you will also find other paintings worked from black and white references.
Although the challenge has closed, you can still pass comment on all the paintings shown. It all helps to
keep the forum alive and
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Magdalena, May 2009, Calendimaggio

Assisi, Perugia, Italy
By
Neva Rossi

In May 2009, my husband, Rick, and I travelled to

Umbria for two weeks. We stayed below Assisi in the
small town of Santa Maria della Angeli, rented a car
and took day trips around the region. One Thursday
we spent the day in the nearby village of Spello, and
upon our return to Assisi late that afternoon, we came
upon the parades and festivities kicking off the
beginning of Calendimaggio. At the time, we had no
idea what we had stumbled upon, but found the city of
Assisi to be filled with people dressed in colourful
medieval costumes, serenading throughout the streets
of town! So out the camera came, (actually it is always
out) and I was able to snap shot after shot of this
celebration.

Calendimaggio was originally an ancient celebration of

Spring May Day. Today, it is a three day festival held each year on the first Thursday,
Friday and Saturday of May. Locals dress up in medieval costume and there are various
competitions between the Upper City and the Lower City, to decide which group is
awarded the coveted Palio.
I painted Magdalena in early 2014 from a photograph I took that day. She is painted on an
11 x 15 piece of Canson Mi Tientes Touch paper, Tobacco color, using various soft
pastels, and the painting sold the moment it went up.
This past year I submitted the painting to Pastel Journals 16th Annual Pastel 100
Competition. (This was my second year to submit.) The jurors began with several
thousand works in pastel and, entry by entry, the five category jurors whittled that number
down to 100. I was pleased to receive the news that not only was Magdalena juried in to
the 100, but she was selected for an Honorable Mention award in the Portrait & Figure
Category by Ellen Eagle. She is featured in the April issue of Pastel Journal, along with the
other wonderful pastel paintings comprising the Pastel 100.
On a side note, as a result of the paintings I have done from my photographs of the
Calendimaggio, I was recently invited to participate in the First Annual International
Contemporary Art Exhibition, organized and offered by Art Residence Pro Vobis Assisi.
The request was for more Calendimaggio portraits! The paintings will be featured during
the month of July in the Sala della Volte in Piazza del Comune, Assisi, Italy.

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Get Dusty Schedule

APRIL: Category, Animal plus! - Theme, Feathers. Deadline 25th April 2015
CommentCan be a full bird study, a bunch of feathers, or a single feather
MAY: Category, Portrait or still life -Theme, Childhood memories. Deadline 25th
May 2015
Comment Toys, sweets, a childish activity. Think back to your early years and be
creative!
JUNE: Category, Unclassified. Theme, Interpretation - 'The sands of time were falling from your fingers and your thumb, and you were waiting for the miracle, the
miracle to come' Deadline 25th June 2015
Comment Let these beautiful lyrics by Leonard Cohen inspire you. What will it
be, portrait, landscape, abstract - who knows?
JULY/AUGUST: Free choice. Deadline 25th August 2015
Commentlet the juices of inspiration flow during the heady days of summer.
SEPTEMBER: Category: Landscape -Theme, Bad weather. Deadline 25th September
2015
CommentA landscape, seascape, skyscape or cityscape in rain, fog, snowstorm.
OCTOBER: Category, Animals -Theme, animals in their natural habitat. Deadline
25th October 2015
Comment - For example, frogs in a pond, a dragonfly on a water lily, a lion in the savannah etc. An animal portrait with a vague background will not do for this challenge!
NOVEMBER: Category, Still life plus! - Theme, Florals. Deadline 25th November
2015
CommentCan be flowers in a field, park or garden, or a close up of a bloom or
blooms. Must not contain pots/vases, other still life elements etc.
DECEMBER: Winter free choice. Deadline 25th January 2016
CommentUse your Christmas gift pastels to produce a stunning work of art.

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Welcome to our New Members

Sven Kinader

My name is Sven Kinader. Im a hobby

artist from Germany. I started at the
age of 15 with pencil drawings.
About 3 years ago I started with
pastel paintings and I love it.
Between 2013 and 2015
I had some exhibitions and won some
awards.

Norma Priddis
I have had a passion for painting as long as I can remember and my favourite medium is pastels. I
live in Jersey , which is a beautiful island, so I have plenty of inspiration all around me, from
wonderful beach scenes to quiet country lanes.
France is so close that every year I and a few other artist friends hire a gite and enjoy painting
more open countryside and little villages full of character. I also lived for a few years in Australia
and still miss the wonderful colours and tropical places it has to offer.
I am a Member of the Pastel Society of Australia, Jersey Society of Artists and The Art Exhibitors
Guild. I have exhibited in
Jersey, France and Australia and a
few years ago I was fortunate to
exhibit in the Mall Galleries in
London.
I have a long suffering husband and
one son who is at present living and
working in Australia where he was
born.

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Members News
Dolores Saul has a new exhibition
in Wehrheim City Hall in
Germany. At the recent opening,
there were more than 30 guests
and the Chief of City Hall was also
present. He honoured her works
as some of the best paintings and
the best exhibition he had seen in
many years! Dolores sent an
invitation to journalists two
weeks before, giving them
printed information about herself
and her work and there was a very positive media response! She told her
guests about what inspires her to paint, her feelings when she is beside the
sea and how she sits happily for many hours at the beach, watching the
waves and letting her
thoughts go with them.
The exhibition is open
until 28th May 2015 and
she is naturally proud
about this successful
opening! Well done
Dolores!

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Members Gallery

Daggie Wallace
Frank Schweietzer

Merethe Torbergsen

Mario Vukelic

Lorraine Valantiner

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Members Gallery

Annika Ostman
Dorothea Schulz

Joanne Simpson-Connor

John Wood

Kate Thayer

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Members Gallery

Sabrina Schwarz

Luzia Zipperle

Saskya Stahl

The Scribbler team needs members to submit their paintings for inclusion in future
issues..
Good quality photos of your work are the only requirement, no other rules apply.
Send your pictures to scribbler@pastelguld.org, or alternatively post them in your
members profile gallery.

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