Ever felt like pastels were whispering to you from the other side of the art store? "Let’s create magic!" Once pastel meets paper, it transforms into something magical. They’re more than colors—they’ve got attitude. Even if you haven't drawn since high school, taking a pastel painting class will uncover this enchantment.
At my first go with a pastel, I thought, "Easy, right?" https://www.thetingology.com/class
The dust eruption hasn't helped my jeans at all. First lesson: messy hands make great art.
Sure, courses start with the essentials, but the fun starts immediately. You'll write, smear, and learn how to add pop, shadow, light, and shape. Ever watched a pinky turn a streak into a sunset? That’s an inside move in pastel land. Are you worried about how well you can draw? Forget about that. Some pupils begin at stick-person level, but by week three, their landscapes are so good they’d make Bob Ross proud.
It’s a sensory delight to build layers of pastel. Smearing bold colors like you’re frosting a cake is oddly satisfying. It’s about playful exploration. Why not blue cows? Absolutely. Van Gogh did starry skies, you can do purple trees. Instructors encourage you to break the rules, which helps you see beyond “right” and “wrong” in art.
People in group critiques are honest and helpful; no one wants to see a peer leave feeling bad. One time, when I unintentionally turned a horse into a gigantic potato, the whole class shared a laugh with me. The teacher even said it was "abstract equine expressionism." We framed it as a reminder that mistakes are fun, which is the spirit of creativity.
You will lose track of time. Life slows down. Using pastels is like mindfulness with pigment, but you’ll have created something unique. Correction: added something with personality to the page.
Your hands will be covered with rainbow paint, your portfolio will be filled, and your love of vibrant tones reignites by the end of the course. You’re not required to be a brooding artist to join. It’s open to anyone who just wants to play with color. Ready to dive into the mess? Get a stick and join in on the fun.