Imagine the softness of a color stick in your hands, gliding across paper. This is the magic of pastel paintings. It has fascinated artists for centuries. Pastel painting is a colorful way to express your creativity. If you have ever wanted to try this medium, you might want to take a course in pastel painting. Read here for additional information about our pastel/ink painting classes.
Why are pastels special? Pastel colors don’t need brushes or water, unlike some other mediums. You can create textures and seamless transitions with your finger tips. It’s like finger-painting for grown-ups! Pastel paints are instantaneous, so you can see your results almost immediately.
What happens in a course on pastel painting? Imagine yourself in a warm, cozy studio, with plenty of natural lighting, easels set up like soldiers preparing for battle and a faint chalk dust scent. Most classes begin with an introduction of materials, such as different types (soft pastels, hard pastels, oil pastels), textured papers, smooth or textured papers, and fixatives that will keep your work intact.
It’s time for you to get dirty, literally. Beginners start by doing simple exercises, such as shading spheres or mixing gradients. These fundamental skills are essential because they teach you control and techniques without overwhelming you.
You can expect to work on more complex projects such as portraits or landscapes. It’s now that things start to get interesting. Layering colors in order to create depth, dimension and texture becomes second nature. Imagine the subtle colors of a sunset, or the intricate detail of a petal of flowers – this is pure poetry.
Let’s be honest, learning a new skill can be challenging. You may find that your first attempts look more like abstract artwork than anything recognisable. That’s okay! Bob Ross, anyone? He said there were no mistakes but only happy accidents. The smudges, wavy lines and other imperfections are part of the artistic process.
Inspiration is needed by every artist, even if they are not on a journey. Instructors will often ask students to bring pictures or objects that spark curiosity or joy. It doesn’t matter if it’s an old photo of your summer vacation, or your grandmother’s collection of vintage teapots. This personal touch makes each piece unique.
There’s also something else cool: Many courses include live demonstrations of seasoned artists sharing their tips and techniques. It’s inspiring to see someone else’s work. Plus, you can learn new techniques that are not always taught in textbooks.
Are you stuck? You don’t have to worry about it! Art communities thrive off of collaborations and feedback sessions, where everyone shares work-in progress pieces during coffee breaks (or online chats). Constructive critique helps improve skills while building camaraderie with fellow creatives.
What is the effect of color on mood? Pastel art is not just for aesthetics, it can also be therapeutic! The different shades of pastels can create a range of emotions from calmness (think reds!) to excitement (think blues!). The next time lemons are thrown at you, grab some yellow-toned pastels.
Let’s quickly talk about supplies before we go: Invest wisely, but don’t blow your budget either way. Gather essentials such quality soft/hard/oil-based pastel sets along with good textured/smooth coloured papers and a reliable fixing spray to ensure durability of the final artwork.
Take the plunge today, seize the moment and carpe diem!