Dates and Pricing:
19th September - 10th October 2026, four consecutive Saturdays
Time: 9am - 1pm Pacific Time, 12pm - 4pm Eastern Time
Location: Online
Workshop description
Pastels are one of the most direct and expressive painting mediums, allowing artists to capture the effects of light, atmosphere, and color with remarkable speed and spontaneity.
In this 4-day workshop, Dado will guide participants to discover the magic of pastel painting. Participants will learn how to apply pastels with confidence using a variety of techniques, and also learn important concepts of landscape painting, such as theory of light and color, shape simplification, and capturing mood and atmosphere. They'll also learn how to simplify complex scenes into strong visual statements, use color to evoke mood and emotion, and transform their observations into compelling works of art.
Day 1. Intro to Pastels and Confident Markmaking
Day 2. Color and Light Explorations with Pastels
Day 3. From Complexity to Simplicity
Day 4. Experimental Techniques and Final Critique
There will be a Day 0 Assignment (incl. material prep & test) to be completed before the first class, with details shared 2 - 3 weeks before the start date. There is also homework after Day 1, 2 & 3. Dado will critique your homework during the following class.
Upon completing this workshop, participants will complete many in-class exercises, as well as homework pieces (based on provided photo references): 4 limited stroke paintings, 5 color and light exploratory sketches, and a final 8x10in landscape painting complete with accompanying value and colour thumbnail sketches.
Additional
Designed for beginner and intermediate artists alike, this workshop is perfect for those looking to pick up pastel as a new medium or strengthen its usage for landscape paintings.
Participants should fulfill these requirements:
Have some basic observational drawing experience
Prepare required materials before the first class (Review this Material List)
Be able to photograph or scan their artwork clearly for critique sessions
Be committed to completing all assigned homework. As this is a critique-heavy course, timely completion of assignments is essential to receive meaningful in-class feedback
Participants must have a Zoom account to participate in the live class (microphone is required, camera optional), must be able to access Google Drive to upload homework, and should be comfortable with using Discord to view/upload files and participate in text discussions.
Please read our updated Cancellation and Refund Policy carefully on the FAQ page before you register.