Storms at Sea in Oil Pastel

 It is coming into the storm season here in Queensland - as we move into summer, afternoon storms become common, and later in the season Cyclones become more likely. Living at Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, one of my favourite things is watching the afternoon storms sweep in from the ocean. As the sky blackens, sometimes the sun breaks through to bathe the ocean and land below in heightened brilliant color.

Bronte B

Claire B

April K

Charlotte Y

Emma M

Sophie K

Image from Pinterest - source unknown

When I found the oil pastel 'Sailboats in Stormy Seas' by Florida artist Chris Jeanguenat, I knew it would be the perfect inspiration for an oil pastel lesson (Reproduced with the artist's permission).

Sailboats in Stormy Seas: Chris Jeanguenat

We started by looking at photographs and a discussion about storms - the power and energy, and what sorts of lines (diagonal, curved, jagged) we might use to convey that. We also quickly discussed what might be in the foreground (waves? a rocky pier?), middle distance (boats?) and background (ocean? a headland with buildings? an island?) and how we might simplify these shapes into stylized form.

Students mapped out their compositions using large stylized shapes using black oil pastels. For this picture I have them start with the foreground and move backwards into the picture overlapping shapes as they go.

Only then did we really look at the oil pastel example by Chris Jeanguenat. I deliberately try not to show examples too soon, as many children think that this must be the 'right' way, and while I want them to draw inspiration, I don't want them to copy. Looking at the artist's picture, we talked about the artist's use of color - using at least 2 related (close) colors in each area, with overlapping, layering and blending. We also noticed the lovely contrast between the dark stormy colors of the sky and the brighter, lively colors of the boats and the sea.

Students used oil pastels to color their pictures, while I circulated, reminding them of the key points. Finally, they use black oil pastel to further delineate the main shapes. When think they are finished I encourage them to  view their work from a distance, thinking about the key points and to see if they have achieved the stormy effect.

Well done everyone!!!