Starting your first online pastel painting lessons can be like opening a brand-new box of pastels—colorful, full of promise, and rather untidy in the best of circumstances. Should you be apprehensive about jumping in, relax. Many times, the design of these courses is based on total newbies. From the coziness of your house, you will be softly led through the foundations. Optional but highly advised are pajamas.
Usually, your path starts with a nice introduction to your teacher. Many of these musicians are enthusiastic about instructing and quite adept at helping students relax. You will feel as though you belong to a small but cosy creative circle. The teachings start with the basics right after that. Pastels are precisely what they seem, You will have an opportunity to discover the several kinds—soft pastels, oil pastels, pastel pencils—and their behavior on several surfaces. More significant than it sounds is the choice of paper; you will be guided in choosing and preparing it correctly.
Early courses center on fundamental competencies. You will discover how to hold your pastel sticks, how applying varying pressure alters the result, and why mixing with your finger feels so wonderful (and why it’s important to keep some wipes available). There is a delightful, approachable discussion of color theory—no long lectures here. You’ll play about with layering, blending, and even salvaging those unavoidable muddy areas. All of it is part of the process.
Like ascending a stairway, the course of instruction often builds gradually. You’ll start with simple forms and textures—perhaps sketching a peach, a cloud, or a rusted key. These easy subjects let you investigate layering techniques and stroke approaches. You will move on to more elaborate works including landscapes, faces, or abstract compositions as you grow confident. Many classes have recorded demos, live Q&A sessions, or instructor comments right away.
It is not a single experience either. Most online pastel courses give access to student groups where you may post your work, ask questions, and even joke about the pastel messes we all create. Surprisingly useful and consoling is the support and criticism of other pupils.
Online learning is best of all since you may review any course. Should life interrupt your session—that of your cat toppling your water—you may stop and resume exactly where you left off. Many courses also include extra resources such downloaded instructions, reference images, or invites to unique live webinars.
By the end of the course, you probably have a collection of vibrant drawings, a strong command of pastel methods, and perhaps some paint smudges on your favorite shirt. Knowing exactly what you can produce with a new box of pastels, you might even glance at one and smile.