Soft Pastels: Discovering the Painterly Side of Drawing

Course Overview

We will dive into the enchanting world of soft pastels, exploring their unique potential as a painterly medium. Beyond the conventional use of drawing on sanded pastel paper, we’ll also unravel the secrets of incorporating water with soft pastels, opening up new artistic possibilities. ‍ Course Highlights: Our focus is on practical application, where you'll engage in hands-on exercises leading to completed artworks. Soft pastel artists often describe their process as "painting," and as a part of this course, we will delve into traditional and water-based techniques that will transform soft pastels into vibrant, fluid creations. ‍ Key Techniques Explored: Layering and Color Mixing: Learn the art of layering soft pastels to build depth and dimension in your dynamic compositions. Scumbling and Blending: Explore scumbling techniques to create soft, atmospheric effects, and perfect blending methods for seamless transitions. Water with Soft Pastels: Discover the unconventional use of water with soft pastels, adding a new skill to your artistic toolkit. Artistic Principles Covered: Harmony and Texture: Develop skills to create harmonious color palettes and express texture effectively with soft pastels. Contrast Building: Understand the nuances of contrast to make your artwork visually compelling and dynamic. Creating 3D Forms: Explore techniques to give your drawings a three-dimensional quality, bringing them to life on the paper. Adding Details: Learn how to add intricate details that enhance the overall quality and visual interest of your pastel paintings. Refined Composition: Master the art of composition, guiding you to create balanced and visually pleasing artworks. Join us in this course, where the beauty of soft pastels meets the fluidity of painting. Unleash your creativity, refine your skills, and discover the transformative potential of soft pastels as you embark on a journey of artistic exploration and expression.