My Calendar

SPS Members - This program is not sold out. You will need to regiser using the Zoom link that Carroll Pennington will send out via MailChimp.

Non-members - You may join us online for $35. If you would like to join SPS for $45 please use this link: https://southeasternpastel.com/join/

From Shapes to Soul: The Complete Animal Portrait in Pastel presented by Andrea Gianchiglia, PSA (Zoom)

Step inside Andrea Gianchiglia’s studio for a full start-to-finish pastel journey that brings an animal portrait to life—from the very first shapes to the final spark in the eyes. In this immersive demo, you’ll learn how to:

• Establish accurate proportions using simple shapes and smart measuring techniques.

• Build depth and form through intentional layering, blending, and value control.

• Explore expressive color choices to create vibrancy and mood.

• Add texture and detail that capture the softness of fur and the energy of your subject.

Andrea shares her signature approach to creating lifelike animal portraits with warmth, humor, and plenty of practical tips. Whether you’re new to pastels or refining your skills, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of how to move from confident starts to soulful finishes.

🎨 Perfect for artists who want to bring more life, depth, and heart into their animal portraits—one layer at a time.

Andrea Gianchiglia, local artist of Califon, NJ, graduated from the Hartford Art School receiving her BFA in illustration with a minor in art history. Andrea works as a full time artist with private commissions, as well as an art instructor. She enjoys spending time with her husband and with her three young boys.

My Vision

Every animal portrait I paint comes from the love and compassion I have for them, and in a way it commemorates them and how much they do for us physically, mentally and spiritually. Working in a realistic style, I’m able to capture every nuance that makes your pet unique and special. From the fur, specific markings, and to the eyes, I’m able to recreate the animals soul looking back at you. Creating a portrait of an animal is more than just painting a pretty picture. Painting animals, especially pets, are my passion because after all they aren’t just pets, they are family! Meeting the animal and getting to know their personality, along with any subtle details only a visit in person can see is one of my favorite steps in portraiture. I am not always able to meet the animal in person (distance, animal has passed to the Rainbow Bridge), so having the pet's family share stories about their animal helps me know them just a little better before I begin a painting to honor them forever. After all, a portrait can keep a pet with us for a lifetime.

Being an instructor

She teaches both adults and teens at the Visual Art Center of New Jersey, The Center for Contemporary Art, The Hunterdon Art Museum and conducts private lessons and workshops both in person and virtually. Andrea is also a Craftsy instructor where she was flown out to Denver, Colorado to film an online class titled, “The Art of Painting Horses.” She enjoys being able to spread the love of art that teaching has allowed her to do. She gains inspiration from teaching all ages and is always taking in what all her students have to offer.

Andrea is also a member of the Society of Animal Artists, The Pastel Society of America and is represented by Studio 7 Fine Art Gallery in Bernardsville, NJ.