In this class we will learn the basice of using soft pastel. We will discover many different types of surfaces that accept pastel, as well as have a chance to coat our own. Students will experiment with different blending techniques and different subject matter from landscape to still life.

Lesson One: The pastel medium and pastel surfaces, including blending techniques and basic color theory
Lesson Two: Choosing the right reference photo
Lesson Three: Landscape tips and tricks
Lesson Four: The Still Life
Lesson Five: Coat your own!
Lesson Six: Preservation and framing techniques, student critique

Each session will begin with a short discussion and a demonstration, and then students will have the opportunity to put what they've learned into practice.


Unison half-sticks, set of 16 starter set
Prismacolor NuPastel, set of 12
colourfix pastel paper, warm tone pack, 9 X 12 preferrably
uArt sanded pastel paper variety pack, or at least on sheet each of two different grits-I recommend 400 and 600, but anything you'd like to try is fine

Painting board
Roll of paper towels or several rags
Old artist paintbrush, approximately 1" wide
Masking tape
Vinyl or latex gloves (optional)
Several reference photos of your choice
Vine charcoal or charcoal pencil