Clarence porter sitting in his studio surrounded by his paintings

PAC, MPAC, PSA

As an artist, I capture personal visual and emotional experiences through soft pastels, translating moments of beauty and contrast into vibrant images which allow the viewer to connect with my reflective and introspective moments.

Clarence worked in the Toronto advertising world as a graphic designer/art director until leaving to become a freelance commercial illustrator: a career move that spanned 30 plus years of creating illustrations for everything from packaging and logo designs to children’s books and magazine editorials, while working in a wide range of mediums. After relocating to Hamilton, he started working with pastels for his own pleasure and in 2006 Clarence was juried into the Pastel Artists Canada’s Purely Pastels Exhibition at the Art Gallery of Hamilton where he received an Honorable Mention. That was the impetus needed to continue working with pastels and he hasn’t looked back.

Clarence is represented by Earls Court Gallery in Hamilton and his work has been collected locally and internationally. He received his Master Pastel Artist of Canada (MPAC) signature designation from Pastel Artists Canada in 2014 and was elected a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA) in 2016. He is also a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and the International Association of Pastel Societies.

Clarence is an instructor at the Dundas Valley School of Art as well as an occasional instructor at the Aurora Cultural Centre. Ongoing sources of inspiration for Clarence are the live and Zoom pastel demonstrations and private mentoring sessions he has instructed all over Canada and North America. Clarence enjoys interaction with creative minds of all ages. He finds collaboration with other artists using different media rewarding and enriching too.

Upcoming Workshops

Colour Crazy

ICAN 2025 - Studio D
Saturday, May 31, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Full-Day Workshop

A PICK OF THE CARDS, A SPIN OF THE WHEEL – LET’S GET COLOUR CRAZY

If you want to really break out of your colour comfort zone, join me. This full-day course will challenge how you think about colours and give you a deeper understanding of value relationships. After a brief PowerPoint presentation, we will start playing with Hi-Key, Low-Key and Complementary colour schemes, all at the pick of a card or spin of the wheel. Join me and reignite your colour appetite.

Participants will bring one reference image, a good selection of pastels colours - as many colours as they can - and pastel paper. Because we will be making 4 paintings in 6 hours, participants should choose a reference image containing simple elements. We will create 4 paintings using the one reference image. The first painting will be created in the manner the participants normally would paint, using their personal colour choices. The second and third painting colour schemes will be determined by the pick of a Hi-Key and Low-Key colour card and the fourth by the spin of the colour wheel – insert evil laugh!

Pre-order your supplies from Studio Six or Wyndham Art Supplies at a discounted rate* and have them delivered to the conference! See Studio Six offer details. See Wyndham Art Supplies offer details.

Workshop Material List

Participants will bring a wide selection of pastels colours – as many colours as they can. Because we will be making 4 paintings in 6 hours from one reference image, participants should choose a reference image containing simple elements. The image should also contain a decent range of dark to light values. Participants should bring at least 4 sheets of whatever kind and size of pastel paper they wish to work with. To expedite the process participants can trace out their reference image on the 4 sheets of pastel paper in outline form using a light gray pastel pencil (CarbOthello – Cold Grey 2 or equivalent) beforehand.

Additional Materials

  • Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol – 70-99%) if you use alcohol as part of your under-paintings
  • Kneaded Eraser
  • Masking Tape or Bulldog Clips
  • A couple of cheap brushes – ½”, 1”
  • A small plastic container with lid (if you are using alcohol)
  • Wax paper or Clear Bags
  • Rags or paper towels

Places to Purchase Pastel Supplies

Canada

US

Registration Closed

This workshop is now full.

A tetraptych of a landscape painting done in 4 different colour palettes
A fall forest landscape in oranges and yellows with a bright blue sky and lake peaking through the foliage