Painting the National Parks with Pastels

During this course, we will learn about all of the materials and surfaces for painting with pastels. We will cover many of the techniques for various strokes, mark-making, value studies, and color sketches to apply pastels including hard pastels, soft pastels, pan pastels, and pastel pencils. You will learn the methods of underpainting using watercolor, gouache, alcohol, pan pastels, and pipe insulation. Throughout this course, we will be learning about the five steps to making a great painting – composition, values, color, atmosphere, and edges. Also, we will cover techniques and methods for plein air painting. We will explore techniques for painting skies, mountains, trees, rocks, water, grasses, figures, and city scapes. Vibrant color photo references will be supplied so you can complete three to four finished paintings. Come and learn about this wonderful rich color pastel medium for painting beautiful scenes of the National Parks.

Stephen has been painting watercolors, pastels, and oils around the world since 1996. He has studied with the artists at the Cape Cod School of Art and many of the top artists internationally. His paintings are in many private collections, Veteran Homes, and Museums.  Stephen regularly exhibits his work in various events in DE, PA, NJ, MD, and VA.  His paintings have appeared in a number of local publications.