When standing in front of an artwork, have you ever had the impression that you could walk straight into it? Greetings from the magical world of pastel and ink painting. Consider putting pigments on paper and watching as the colors blend and move together while the ink creates a striking effect of its own. If you’re ready to embrace canvas chaos and achieve amazing outcomes, this course is waiting for your creative hands. – website
Combining pastels and ink is not like baking cookies, where every measurement is precise. Imagine preparing a colorful stew where each ingredient unexpectedly improves the others. Pastel colors are about freedom since they glide, merge, and blur. They narrate stories via color. Meanwhile, ink provides structure and complexity, akin to a rewarding plot twist. Combining them results in a delectable artwork.
Maria, one of our teachers, often says that pastels remind her of her early days of drawing on the sidewalk. “There’s an innocence in it, but with an artist’s toolkit,” she says, laughing. What does she like best about becoming a teacher? Seeing students find their artistic voice, often hidden below layers of self-doubt. It’s like chiseling away rock to expose a diamond underneath.
Stop thinking that you will have to be a prodigy. Dabbling doodlers and those who haven’t used a brush since high school are among our participants. Imagine a room full of people who are all working hard and engrossed in their respective creative endeavors, yet who are all connected by their shared passion for creating things.
It is common for artists to fall into their own traps. Those little critical voices! It’s crucial to keep pastels and ink locked away when dealing with them. Remember that the goal is to allow yourself to create beautiful mess. One pupil, Jack, learned this the hard way. His original design was very different from what he had in mind. However, he put it in his living room since it represented bravery. With a sheepish smile, he said, “It’s a good reminder that imperfection can still be beautiful.”
Lessons also include practical issues, such as how some papers react to different media and how to employ brushes and sticks in unexpected ways. There will be a lot of blending, dabbing, and dripping as you get caught up in the excitement of experimentation. Is that exciting? It is, indeed.
This combination of media allows you to find a story in every stroke. Perhaps painting can even help you relax—a little doodle to cap off a long day. An individual joked that it was “like yoga, but with colors.”
Think of it this way: creating art is more than just making pictures; it’s about connecting with a part of ourselves. Now get your pastels out, mix the ink, and begin creating. Where could you go with your brush?