Seeing Value in Color
Pastel
All Levels
Dates: July 20 – 23, 2027 (4 days)
Cost: $525
Supply List (Coming soon)
Seeing Value in Color
In this intensive four-day pastel workshop, Tobi will share her unique process for creating a successful color story utilizing the four elements of contrast. Students will gain a deeper understanding of color relationships and learn a method for choosing dynamic color values that will create a harmonious yet striking painting. Tobi believes that one learns best by first observing these relationships independently through short, quick exercises. Students will spend time exploring techniques to layer and mix pastels using brushes while experimenting with a focus on developing these visual connections. Tobi developed this unique process and uses it for all her studio paintings. Over time, creating a color story becomes easier and more intuitive, and frustrating color mistakes occur less often, allowing for a more harmonious and relaxed painting experience. Students will work through two paintings in this workshop, incorporating the color story and techniques learned in the hands-on exercises.
About the Instructor: Tobi Clement internationally recognized pastel artist, lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For Tobi, there is a soul-grabbing intensity and alluring mystery in the ever-changing colors and quality of light in the skies and landscapes of the Southwest.
She began her journey with the pastel medium when painting en plein air in 2012. Her obsession with color and light quickly influenced her choice of subject matter — New Mexico skies. Painting outdoors has taught her to see the impact of light and to work suggestively.
In 2019, she left her full-time 25-year career to pursue art as her artwork became internationally recognized.
Tobi began using her en plein air studies in the studio so she could explore working on larger pieces. Time in the studio allowed her to have “mad scientist” moments as she began to experiment with different papers and techniques. She discovered ways to use brushes and layer colors that captured the depth and ethereal qualities of clouds. She says, “I paint with a dry medium, moving the pigment around with brushes. The freedom to work large allows me to explore color using big loose shapes while incorporating expressive mark making. My en plein air practice continues to inspire my way of seeing light and working spontaneously. My studio practice allows me to spin-off into unknown and exciting tangents of exploration unlimited by time.”
Pastel Organization Accreditation
Distinguished member of PSNM (Pastel Society of NM)
Signature Member of PAPNM (Plein Air Painters of NM)
PUBLICATIONS
Faculty at PACE 2026
Faculty at IAPS 2026
Included in Fine Art Connoisseur Portfolio Look UP! Sun & Moon 2025
Included in PleinAir Magazine Portfolio Branching Out 2024
One of 14 American women pastel artists invited to the prestigious exhibition, Pastels of the World in Bourbonnais, Montluçon France, April 2022.
November, 2020, PleinAir Magazine six-page article, “Capturing the Magic of the Moment”
Two editorials, “Dance between Paper & Pastels” August/September & October/November, 2020
Pastel Journal
Included in PleinAir Magazine Portfolio, Dramatic Lighting 2019
Featured on the cover with an eight-page interview/article, Pratiques Des Arts French Pastel Magazine, 2018
Featured as an Upcoming Artist with extensive editorial review
Santa Fean Magazine June/July, 2018 ARTS Issue
Featured as an Emerging Artist, Southwest Art Magazine May 2018
AWARDS
Contemporary Art Magazine Honorable Mention 2026
Enchanted Colors – National Exhibition PSNM Outstanding Pastel – May 2023
Masterworks of New Mexico – Third Place Pastel – Apr 2023
Wild River’s Plein Air Festival – Third place Landscape – July 2018
Pastel Society of NM – Small Works Show – Peoples Choice – Nov 2017
Plein Air Painters of NM – Honorable Mention Pastel – June 2016
FASO The BoldBrush Painting Contest – Outstanding Pastel – April 2017
Plein Air Painters of NM – J.Potter Memorial Award for Artistic Excellence – Nov 2016
Plein Air Painters of NM – Honorable Mention Pastel – October 15
PAPNM Plein Air Festival – Second Place Quick Draw & Best Nocturne -June 2014
PAPNM Plein Air Festival – Best in Quick Draw – June 2013
07/20/2027 – 07/23/2027