The High Museum in Atlanta presents an immersive course on pastel painting, designed for individuals seeking to explore the vibrant possibilities of this medium. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with both soft and oil pastels, delving into the use of rich colors, layered textures, and painterly mark-making techniques.
This course encourages attendees to build confidence through essential techniques while gaining insight into how pastels can effectively capture form, light, atmosphere, and surface texture, utilizing both observational and photographic references.
Targeted at all skill levels, from beginners to those wishing to enhance their artistic practice, the course provides a supportive environment for experimentation and skill refinement through a series of studies and finished artworks. Participants will work towards developing their artistic abilities and creative voices.
- Week 1: Familiarization with soft pastel materials, papers, and essential techniques through mark-making exercises and observational studies, exploring linear and side strokes, layering, blending, and understanding the unique qualities of this velvety medium.
- Week 2: Building upon foundational techniques by examining color relationships, optical mixing, and expressive mark-making. Participants will create observational studies and experiment with feathering, crosshatching, and scumbling to convey texture, depth, and atmosphere.
- Week 3: Transitioning to oil pastels, discovering their rich, painterly qualities. This week includes learning techniques unique to oil pastels, such as layering, blending, sgraffito, and solvent blending, alongside observational exercises comparing soft and oil pastels.
- Week 4: Developing greater control of oil pastels through focused studies on color, value, texture, and dimensional form, exploring various applications to enhance expressive surfaces and observational drawing skills.
- Week 5: Selecting either soft or oil pastels to begin a finished composition that integrates techniques explored throughout the course. Attendees will refine their composition, color, texture, and expressive mark-making in preparation for the final week.
- Week 6: Completing a final pastel artwork that reflects personal style and technical confidence. The course concludes with guidance on presentation and preservation, alongside a supportive group critique to celebrate participants’ artistic growth.
This introductory-level studio class is structured to accommodate all levels of skill and talent. It offers a valuable foundation for those who are new to art-making or for those seeking to learn new skills to augment their artistic practice.
Please note that in the event of a session being canceled, November 17 will be reserved as a makeup date.
