Oil Pastel 101 (In-Studio)

This beginner-friendly course serves as an excellent and welcoming introduction to color theory and professional oil pastel painting techniques. Designed specifically for those new to the medium or seeking to expand their artistic skills, this engaging class thoroughly explores fundamental concepts, including comprehensive color theory, sophisticated color mixing methods, and smooth blending techniques while working with an accessible medium that requires minimal setup and cleanup between sessions. Oil pastels allow students to achieve vibrant, luminous, rich colors without the extended drying times associated with traditional oil painting, making them ideal for quick studies and experimental work.

What You'll Learn in This Course:

• The fundamental principles of color theory, including how to create tints and shades, and achieve subtle color variations through careful, intentional mixing
• Practical blending techniques and professional methods for applying oil pastels to create visually stunning artwork with the appearance and richness of traditional oil paintings
• The underlying chemistry of color mixing and how to confidently develop your own custom color palettes using time-tested approaches employed by classical artists throughout art history
• Efficient setup and cleanup procedures that help you preserve the quality and lasting vibrancy of your finished artwork and materials
• Creative methods for authentically expressing your personal vision and artistic voice through purposeful experimentation with color, tone, and texture

Supplies and Materials Required:

You will need to purchase art supplies for this course before beginning. The following materials are essential for participating and completing all projects:

Complete Materials and Supply List:

• Oil Pastels: Cray-Pas 50 box oil pastels for comprehensive color options
• Eraser: Large kneaded eraser for gentle corrections and highlights
• Sketch Pad: Strathmore 9x12 spiral-bound sketch pad SM3509 for quality paper
• Pencil: 2H turquoise drawing pencil for initial composition work
• Sharpener: General metal twin 2-hole sharpener for maintaining sharp points

Additional Class Information and Options

• This course is available for both flexible online and traditional in-studio participation, providing genuine flexibility for students who prefer different learning environments and scheduling options. Access the online class option here
• This course specifically does not employ a "copy-the-teacher" instructional format; instead, you will be actively encouraged to bring your unique perspective, individual creativity, and authentic personal artistic voice to each project you create throughout the course
• The Wednesday 3:30 PM in-studio class is specifically designed for school-age children and strategically takes place during after-school hours to accommodate younger students' schedules
• Prerequisites: Drawing with Graphite 101 or equivalent artistic experience demonstrating foundational drawing skills and comfort with basic techniques