Pastels

Discover the vibrant, velvety magic of pastels! With their rich pigments and buttery texture, pastels let you blend colors effortlessly with your fingers, creating luminous, expressive artworks in minutes. Whether you're a beginner seeking a forgiving medium or an experienced artist craving bold, immediate results, pastel painting offers pure joy and stunning results— no brushes, no drying time, just pure creative flow. Dive in and let your colors come alive!

Introduction to Pastels with Stephanie McQuade

Introduction to Pastels is an immersive art course designed for beginners in this medium or as a refresher for the more experienced. This engaging program explores the vibrant world of pastels, guiding participants through essential techniques and creative projects to master this versatile medium.

Over five weeks, students receive hands-on instruction in the fundamentals of pastel art, including paper types, pastel types, mark making, tone, value, and color. In the first two lessons, participants build a strong foundation in pastel techniques and material selection. In later sessions, students create paintings such as a floral study, a landscape composition, and a personal project that reflects their individual style. 

  • Paper types: textured papers and toned grounds

  • Pastel types: soft, hard, oil, and pan pastels

  • Mark making and tone: hatching, scumbling, and blending

  • Value and color: using light, shadow, and hue effectively

  • Student projects including a floral painting, a landscape, and a personal project.

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Pastels Beyond Basics
with Stephanie McQuade

Pastels Beyond Basics - Ready to level up your soft pastel skills? This 5-week course is for students with some prior experience—those comfortable with basic application, blending, and handling pastels—who want to build confidence, refine techniques, and develop a stronger personal style. Bring your own reference images (photos, sketches, or inspirations) and choose your path: focus deeply on one major project over the five weeks for thoughtful layering and refinement, or create five separate pieces to explore different subjects and approaches. Either way, you'll have the freedom to experiment and grow.

5-week course, 2 hours each session

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