You grab your pastels and become excited when you see a clean sheet of paper in front of you. This isn’t just any piece of paper; it’s a call to adventure that dares you to do something new. If you’re not sure where to start, don’t worry; a pastel landscape class is perfect for times like these. Whether you’re quietly drawing for yourself or aggressively drawing for an audience, your teachers are ready to help and support you. Get additional reading here!

There’s no doubting that pastels are a mess. But maybe that’s what makes it so special. Dust settles everywhere, bringing with it new ideas. Maybe a short line of pink over a blue sky or a field full of buttery yellow. A good course does more than give you step-by-step instructions. It also gives you permission to jump in, accept the happy accidents, and find brilliance where you least expect it. Your hands will be proof of all the fun you had during the session after it’s over. The chaos shows that you spent your time well; you can almost see a brilliant artist giving you a thumbs up.

A committed teacher will show you how to turn rough markings into beautiful mountains or mix blue and white to make lakes that sparkle. You might want to look at clouds, some of which are soft and wispy and others that are huge and bold. Don’t think of these sessions as boring lessons; they’re rather like trips into your imagination. You’ll go through situations quickly, only to find out that your “mistakes” make them more interesting. The soft scratch and sweep of pastel on paper quickly becomes as calming as a drumbeat.

You will meet other artists along the road. Some are experienced artists, while others are just getting to know the bright world of pastels. Everyone is laughing as they tell stories of beautiful sunsets and hard-to-reach tree lines. People talk about the best papers, how to apply color for deep shadows, and which colors go well together—or which ones tend to turn to muck.

There is always an element of surprise with pastels. The sky today might turn pink. Emerald colors might make valleys glow. The grass won’t even stay plain green. Rules are fuzzy, and freedom takes over, letting imagination take the lead.

These sessions are all about making things with your hands. You might find yourself at a park with a breeze one day, holding your sketchbook tightly while the wind tries to take it from you. Another day, the colored dust that falls on everything turns your dining room into a studio. The group starts to feel like a group of creative friends, with lots of stories, food, and bright colors.

You could have missed the greatest part if you finish without a tinge of pastel on your hands. The fun is in the smudges and color stains, which may be found on everything around you, not just your paintings. Put your finished work of art on the fridge or in the hallway. It will remind you of how far you’ve gone and how many more colors you still need to explore.