Donate
Join
Donate
Join

The Power of Pastel: Landscape

The Power of Pastel_ Landscape 3
The Power of Pastel_ Landscape 2
The Power of Pastel_ Landscape 1

Price range: $240.00 through $260.00

Sorry, the registration deadline has passed.

Date: Tuesday, May 19, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Time: 10 am–3 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Location: Glen Arbor Arts Center Classroom
Skill: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate

Description

This workshop is designed to harness the power of soft pastel while interpreting and painting from your own favorite landscape photos. There will be a comprehensive review of this marvelous medium and its related materials, tips, and techniques. Through lecture, demonstration, and handouts, Barbara will help students create studio landscapes that are dynamic, filled with light, and full of personal expression. She will share tips from her many years of plein air painting, as well as review the fundamentals. This is a fun and relaxed workshop with lots of personal attention and encouragement along the way. Students should bring to class several landscape photos that they have taken themselves, along with the Supply List items. This Workshop is for Soft Pastel, not Oil Pastel. Prior art experience is helpful.

Objective: Skill Development

Outcome: Improved Technique

Instructor

Barbara Reich is a nationally recognized artist specializing in soft pastel, a medium that is very exciting and beautifully complex. Capturing moments, subjects, and strong visual concepts, with the near pure pigments of soft pastel is exhilarating, and sharing this knowledge with others is something she is passionate about. Barbara’s work walks the line between realism and impressionism. She feels a strong connection to the character and subtleties of the Northern Michigan landscape, and she strives to capture its spirit in every painting. Barbara regularly exhibits in juried shows, group/solo exhibitions, and plein air events.

Website:  barbarareich.com

Social Media:  facebook.com/barbara.reich.844671/

Supply List

  • 60 or more soft (dry) pastels. The more you have, the easier it will be to create the exact color and values you desire. Example: Rembrandt, Great American, Ludwig, Schmincke, Unison. Nupastels (hard) are a great compliment to the soft pastels, and work well on sanded surfaces in combination with soft pastels. Other artist-grade pastels are available, and if unsure, feel free to contact me. No oil pastels, they are not the same.
  • Lightweight drawing board or foam core works well, cut slightly larger than paper size. 
  • Several pieces of sanded paper: size 9” x 12” or 12” x 18”  is sufficient. Some of my favorites include UArt 320-400 grit, Pastel Premier, and Lux Archival. These sanded surfaces allow for wet underpainting if desired.
  • White Artist tape to attach paper to support.
  • Easel—portable floor or table model. Check availability with GAAC.
  • Several of your favorite landscape photo references. Must be photos that you have taken yourself, not from published material. 
  • Small sketchbook/paper for thumbnails, HB pencil/charcoal.
  • Older paint brush (1/2 inch to 1 inch) for washing in pastel if using wet technique. Good brushes get damaged fast when using a surface with grit.
  • Your choice if underpainting in Pastel: Rubbing Alcohol, plain water. Bring in a small glass jar with lid. 
  • If you prefer to underpaint with Watercolor instead of pastel, bring warm and cool shades of each color family.
  • Paper towel.
  • Blending stump or soft tools.
  • Glassine/Tracing paper to cover and transport pastel painting. 
  • Consider: Smock/apron, disposable gloves, “gloves in a bottle”.
  • Water / Snacks or sack lunch and beverage.

Cancellation

Please read the GAAC cancellation and refund policy here: http://glenarborart.org/terms-and-conditions/

Join Notification List We will inform you when the product arrives in stock. Please leave your valid email address below.

Search Glen Arbor Art Center