Joan’s original passion for horses led to her interest in art and she has never stopped to look back.

Joan has an extensive CV chronicling 40 years of professional achievements which include international shows, awards and documentaries. However it is the present and future that hold her attention. Her ground breaking series of artworks honouring the RCMP
Musical Ride has been used for exhibitions supporting non-profit organizations. This was followed by a series based on her trips to remote and restricted Sable Island to paint its most famous denizens, the wild horses.

Joan is a Senior member of the Federation of Canadian Artists (SFCA) and holds Master Pastelist designation with the PastelArtists.CA (MPAC).

Joan and her husband Paul Smith own and operate Creekside Studio from their acreage in the rural area of Coombs on Vancouver Island where they live with their family and assorted animals, including horses . . . which Joan states “are simply necessary.”

Animals in Pastel

ICAN 2025 - Studio A East
Friday, May 30, 2025
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Full-Day Workshop

A step-by-step process from the initial drawing to rendering the finished animal.

1. “Getting It Right at the Beginning” will focus on learning the techniques to create an accurate drawing of the structure of the animal. This does not require a detailed knowledge of anatomy; instead I will show you basic techniques that you can apply to any animal that will ensure an accurate drawing.
2. “The pleasure and pitfalls of photographs” and how to fill in what your photo doesn’t or can’t tell you.
3. Topics we will cover include:
   • How and where to start
   • Life-like eyes
   • How to render short and long hair or fur so it looks realistic
   • How to use your darks
   • Painting towards the light
   • Layering your colours to develop depth
   • All-black and all-white animals
   • Finishing touches and when to stop

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

• Drawing materials, sketchbook, pencils, etc.
  If you have a newsprint pad, bring it.  We will be doing rough sketches to learn about structure.
• Pastels & Pastel Paper of your choice
• Bring whatever you will need to work on the animal of your choice
• Reference photos  –  we will cover how to select a good portrait photo, so if you have a bunch, bring them.

Miscellaneous Materials such as:

• Hand towels for cleaning your fingers and your pastels
• Tracing tissue is a valuable tool . . . for protecting your pastel painting as well as doing overlay sketches of your drawings
• Folder or portfolio for carrying your work
• Drawing Board – foam cor makes an excellent surface to tape your paper to as it lightweight, rigid and has a smooth cushioned surface.  2 pieces taped together make a great porfolio.

Please bring whatever you need to be as self sufficient as possible.