Starting an online pastel painting course is like opening a brand-new box of pastels—bright, friendly, and surprising. If pastel painting seems odd or frightening, relax. Since most classes are meant for total novices, you won’t be thrown into deep water before you can paddle. Imagine yourself learning at home in your jammies under the strong direction of an accomplished artist. Perfect, right?
Usually, you first meet your virtual instructor. These professors enjoy what they do and often convey their enthusiasm in ways that let you feel like you belong to a little creative group. You’ll go right into the nuts and bolts following a brief introduction. Not even are pastels what exactly? You will view, touch, and contrast several kinds—soft pastels, oil pastels, possibly even those thick pastel pencils. Since your surface can either enhance or destroy the experience, you will get advice on selecting paper and handling it.
The early courses should concentrate on foundations. Not only how you hold a pastel stick, but also how pressure alters the line—or why mixing with a finger is so fulfilling (pro tip: keep some wipes nearby). Usually, color theory is not given much thought. You won’t have a snooze-fest here, so relax. One can have a fun time mixing and layering colors using pastels. If you combine a muddy area, no sweat. All of it is part of learning.
Like ascending a stairway, the structure usually grows, kind of slowly. You will first learn basic forms and textures. Subjects including soft fruit, fluffy clouds, a rusty antique key let you try different layering and stroking techniques. Then, occasionally stopping for instructor demos or live Q&A sessions, you can proceed to simple landscapes, portraits, or abstract art.
Not every class should be a lonely trip. Many online pastel painting programs provide active online communities. Swapping progress photos, posing questions, or discussing disaster mixing is common. The level of support these online friends may provide surprises you. Like pastel dust, honest criticism and encouragement pour.
One thing to keep in mind: lessons you acquire online can be revisited. Should your puppy knock over your tea midway through the demo, not a concern. Just use the back button to resume exactly where you left off. From supplementary materials— downloads, picture references, or invite-only webinars—you will also pick up surprising techniques.
By the end you will have a stack of vibrant artwork, a fresh understanding of pastel techniques, and most likely some pastel smudges on your preferred shirt. And perhaps, just perhaps, you will find yourself smiling knowingly as you glance at a fresh pair of pastels.