Oil Pastels

This Oil Pastel class is open to anyone looking to explore the playful and fun nature of oil pastels. This class is designed to unlock the vibrant, painterly potential of this unique medium. Students will explore the creamy, expressive nature of oil pastels, moving from basic mark-making to complex, layered compositions that mimic the rich textures of oil paint. The buttery consistency of oil pastels makes them a dust-free alternative to soft pastels.

In this class our subjects will be primarily landscapes and still lifes. We will learn to blend like a painter, using your fingers, blending stumps, and other tools to create smooth gradations and atmospheric effects. We will also explore how to build impasto textures, applying heavy, sculptural layers of pastel to create three-dimensional depth on the page. And we’ll explore techniques such as sgraffito, utilizing tools to carve details and textures into heavy layers of color.

You will absolutely fall in love with oil pastels after taking this class! And for those that have considered learning oil paints, this is a great entry point into that medium.