Pastels are an ideal medium for producing atmospheric and evocative effects and during the course these shall be explored to the full. This course examines the basic principles of drawing in soft pastels and pastel pencils, and you will investigate the various techniques that can be employed in their use through demonstration and one-to-one tuition.

Pastel is a versatile medium that can be used to create detailed drawings, as well as lively and spontaneous paintings. A variety of subjects will be covered and may include still life, landscapes, and seascapes. You will be shown several established techniques including blending, layering, scumbling, glazing, and hatching.

There will also be demonstrations throughout the course, and you can be assured of plenty of individual attention. All reference material will be provided but please feel free to bring along any images that you would like to work from.

A course for those with all levels of experience including those new to pastels.

Materials Cost

There will be a charge of £5 per person for extra materials supplied by the tutor. Please bring cash to cover this.

What to Bring

Soft Pastels:

A selection of as many soft pastels as you can muster. Try to include some neutral colours as well. Pastels sold in sets tend to contain too many bright primary colours. These brands are particularly good:

• Unison
• Sennelier
• Schmincke
• Jackson’s
• Art Spectrum
• Inscribe (economy)

Pastel Pencils

A selection of as many colours that you have. These brands are particularly good:

• Stabilo Carbothello
• Derwent
• Faber Castel

Pastel Paper:

A selection of pastel papers in a range of colours, (excluding white). There are many brands available, but I favour the Canson Mi-Teintes range. There are other brands available sold in pads, but make sure that they don’t contain too many light colours. Mid-tone, neutral colours are a much better basis for creating a painting or drawing. You will be working at roughly A4/A3 sizes.

Other Materials:

• A tabletop easel if you have one
• Drawing board for taping your paper to
• Torchon or cotton buds for blending colours
• Putty rubber
• Sandpaper block or piece of sandpaper
• Craft knife or scalpel
• Stiff brush for removing pastel – a stencil brush, or an old hog hair oil painting brush is ideal
• Small spray can of fixative
• Masking tape
• Paper towel or tissues
• Baby wipes
• Some old clothes or an apron