Foundation in Pastel - An Introduction to Pastel | Karol Oakley

About the workshop

This is a foundation course about soft pastel, what they are and how to use them.  Over four Monday mornings, Karol will introduce the absolute beginner to pastel, discovering the basic pastel strokes, explore mark making, learn how to colour mix with pastel then finishing by creating a painting based on a landscape. 

There will be ‘step by step’ demonstrations, explanations, ‘one on one’ tutoring, with equal time shared across participants. This is a structured four week course in a workshop style, delivering the basics of soft pastels painting techniques, tips and practical usage. Participants will leave with a workbook of exercises to refer to and their very own finished painting. A new confidence and a set of basic skills will enable participants to create paintings in any style and subject, using soft pastel.

What will I learn

Week 1 Pastel Beginnings
You will be introduced to pastel.  What they are and how to use them, including breaking and storing pastels.  You will look at different varieties of pastel, be shown how to hold pastel to get the best out of it and you'll be introduced to mark making - discovering the six fundamental pastel strokes in a hands-on exercise.

Week 2 Mark-Making 
Making a worksheet as a reference, while exploring variations and combinations of pastel mark making, learning techniques in how to apply pastel, generally having fun with pastel.

Week 3 Colour Mixing 
See what happens when we colour mix with pastel on the paper. This week we develop our mark making for use in any style of painting. We’ll be making worksheets of ideas with colour mixing and mark making.

Week 4 Painting with Pastel
Today we bring all the new foundation skills into a finished painting. The easiest methods of pastel painting are introduced, to practice, explore and develop in creating the first of many pastel paintings. We look at tips and tricks on storing paintings before framing.

Who is this workshop suitable for?

Suitable for those who have never used a soft pastel and/ or those who want a refresher. 

What do I need to bring?

Absolutely nothing, access to all materials is included!

Please bring your lunch and snacks or you can purchase from cafes close by. 

What else is provided?

• Tea and coffee (please bring your own cup)
• A friendly, supportive and encouraging learning environment
• Connection to the Bienarté art community

About the Tutor

Karol is a member of the Pastel Society of Australia (PSA) and a Master Pastellist of over 20 years. Karol’s paintings have won Best in Show and Pastellist of the Year at the PSA Annual Exhibition and Awards.  She is also a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists (AGRA) and the Pastel Society of Southern California. Karol has also received a scholarship with the Pastel Society of America.

Painting with the pastel medium for over 30 years, Karol has won numerous awards for her vibrant realist style pastel paintings, with works held in public and private collections, both in Australia and overseas. She also creates paintings in other mediums, with the natural environment and our identity within it, this is her favourite theme.