Beginner/Intermediate Pastels with Karen Watson

Discover the vibrant world of pastels in this dynamic class designed for both beginners and intermediate students. You’ll start with a brief history of the medium, exploring notable artists who preferred pastels over oil or watercolor for their expressive, vivid qualities. Karen will highlight the allure of pastels—rich, pure colors that captivate both artist and viewer.

After an introduction to pastel’s history, the hands-on exploration begins. You’ll delve into fundamental techniques, with a focus on the critical role of value in both abstract and representational works. Karen will guide you through a variety of strokes and marks such as cross-hatching and pointillism, showing how different techniques can add depth and texture.

Next, you’ll learn to blend and layer colors, creating bold, rich compositions. The class will culminate in the creation of a still life featuring a pear—one of Karen’s favorite subjects. Most importantly, this workshop encourages you to be playful and enjoy the creative process. Art can be intimidating, but in Karen’s class, you’ll learn to embrace it with confidence and joy.

The class will take place from 10am – 2:30pm, with a 30 minute break in the middle.