A Soft Pastel Adventure

Whether you’re new to soft pastel or an advanced artist, this fun, colorful workshop is for you! Take a comprehensive look at the possibilities of this versatile medium while exploring color strategies, composition, and personal expression. You’ll learn how mark-making, underpaintings, paper choices, and compositional formats can have a profound impact on the look and feel of your painting. 

Students will work from life, photographs, and design studies to develop their artistic vision across a variety of subject matter, including at least one day of plein air painting. With individualized guidance for newer pastel artists and challenges for more advanced painters, participants will strengthen their skills while discovering new possibilities with soft pastel.

Materials To Bring

• Set of soft pastels — hard, medium, and/or soft density; minimum of 36 sticks; a good selection of both hard and soft are recommended
• Workable fixative spray — Krylon recommended
• Ordinary beige masking tape
• Small flat box, pan, or basket to use as a pastel “palette”
• Pencil
• Small sketchbook
• Rags or washcloths stored in a zip-top bag for finger cleanup
• Bag, backpack, portfolio, tool box, or tackle box for transporting supplies outdoors
• At least six sheets of heavyweight pastel paper
  • Sanded or micro-coated
  • Colors of your choice, including at least a few neutral colors
  • Approximately 9″ × 12″ to 16″ × 20″
• Glassine, newsprint, or waxed paper for protecting finished work
• Printed photographic references featuring a variety of subjects

*Participants will receive a complete PDF supply list before the workshop with required materials, recommended brands, and additional information to help prepare for the week.

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For Working Outdoors

Participants should bring one setup that allows them to comfortably work outside, such as:

• Plein air/French-style field easel
• Lightweight floor easel capable of holding a drawing board upright
• Folding camp chair or stool with a small portable table
• Heilman pastel box with tripod stand
• Another portable setup you are comfortable using outdoors

Schedule:

Sunday

• 4:00–5:00 PM: Check-In at Adamah Retreat Center
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Welcome Dinner
• 6:00–7:00 PM: Studio Introduction & Workshop Orientation
• 7:00 PM–Evening: Get Settled/Organize Materials

Monday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Introduction to the medium
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction
• 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore

Tuesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction or plein air painting (weather dependent)
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction or plein air painting
• 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore

Wednesday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction or plein air painting (weather dependent)
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction or plein air painting
• 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
• Evening: Chef’s Night Off — Explore the area and enjoy dinner on your own!
• After Dinner: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore

Thursday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Instruction
• 12:00–1:00 PM: Lunch
• 1:00–4:00 PM: Studio Instruction
• 4:00–5:00 PM: Break/Free Time
• 5:00–6:00 PM: Dinner
• 6:00 PM–Evening: Open Studio/Hiking/Explore

Friday

• 8:00–9:00 AM: Breakfast
• 9:00–11:00 AM: Group Critique & Discussion
• 11:00 AM–12:00 PM: Studio Clean-Up, Group Photo & Workshop Review
• 12:00 PM: Workshop Ends

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View frequently asked questions here!