Pastel Classes

Learn to draw, how to see, and how to use the medium of soft pastels, just like Degas and Mary Cassatt! Well, almost!

When one is learning to draw the most important thing is learning how to see. Utilizing a still-life setting of simple forms, progressing towards the more complex in future sessions, you will learn how to concentrate and develop your skills of perception and drawing. It is, most of all, a matter of practicing and perseverance.

We work for three hours on Saturday mornings, once a month, at my studio. With a full class of only four people there is much individual attention.

A person with any level of experience is welcome, from beginners to the more skilled. There will be individual problem solving as well as discussions on techniques and famous artists.

Materials Needed for Class:

1 sheet Canson MiTientes pastel paper ­ medium or light gray

1 set of soft pastels (not oil). Buy a good brand, not too cheap. Good brands are Rembrandt, Windsor-Newton and Grumbacher. A couple of these are available at Hobby Lobby and the Jayhawk Bookstore. Buy as large a set as you can afford. They have a starter set of 15 half-sticks for $21.99 at Hobby Lobby. They have other sets as well, but you will regret buying a very cheap set as the colors are quite poor and garish. The Jayhawk Bookstore sells single sticks if you prefer to buy only a few. Windsor-Newton is a very good brand of all kinds of art supplies.

1 drawing board. Size: 22” x 25” (approx). A piece of cut masonite works well too. You can find this at any hardware store or lumberyard.

2 clamps or bulldog clips for the drawing board

1 kneaded eraser

1 or 2 sticks vine charcoal

Wear an apron or old painting shirt

Only $40 per 3-hour session!

No classes are scheduled at this time. If you're interested in taking a class, please email Barbara at barbara@bsolbergart.com.

NEW CLASS! Based on the renowned methods of Betty Edwards, this class will teach you how to draw like an expert. Email Barbara if you are interested in this class.

Students of all levels can learn to create beautiful works of art.