Workshops
We offer in-person pastel painting workshops through several agreements with art centers, as well as virtual workshops and demonstrations via Zoom. Some of the finest artists in the world have taught workshops for PSWC. Watch this page for frequent updates.
REGISTERING FOR UPCOMING PSWC SPONSERED WORKSHOPS: A “Register here” link will be added to the workshop details below when registration has been opened.
Please note the Cancellation Policy at the bottom of this page.
Upcoming 2026 PSWC Workshops
Now ONLINE Due to Travel Disruptions!
PASTEL INNOVATIONS
April 6th – 8th
9:00am – 4:00pm PT
Online via Zoom
3 Day Workshop: $350
Register here
Dawn Emerson
In this session you’ll discover the powerful versatility of PanPastels when used alone or together with stick pastels and mixed media like sumi ink, water mixable oils, oil pastels, crayons, and cold wax. Layering by adding and subtracting different media will be demonstrated using many “non-typical” art tools and surfaces. The intention is to introduce approaches to drawing that will unleash creative ways to think about your subject with renewed insight and possibilities. This class reviews techniques presented in my book Pastel Innovations, together with many processes developed since the book was published in 2017.
About the Artist:
Dawn Emerson is an inspiring teacher who is passionate about helping each person in their own unique way of using the pastel medium to express themselves. She creates a culture of sharing and joyful exploration in each workshop that encourages each person to take risks, to constructively critique their work, and to identify meaningful themes to pursue in their art. Dawn is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, a respected art judge and juror, author of the book Pastel Innovations, and has 7 instructional videos. Her work is known for its powerful energy and expressive way of combining realism with abstraction.
dawnemerson.com
Now ONLINE Due to Travel Disruptions!
Please note updated dates and reduced rate.
PASTEL INNOVATIONS PLUS
April 10th – 11th
9:00am – 4:00pm PT
Online via Zoom
2 Day Workshop: $250
Register here
Dawn Emerson
This session is designed for those who have taken a “Pastel Innovations” session at some time, and want to explore applying these techniques to “mine” and edit a subject for more powerful meaning and expression. Each day techniques will be introduced to help you apply the design elements of line, texture, value, edges, space, color, and shape with mixed media and pastel (PanPastel and stick) in order to discover new ways to explore your subject. Participants will be encouraged to push the boundaries of what is “expected” of the pastel medium by embracing the question “WHAT IF?”
About the Artist:
Dawn Emerson is an inspiring teacher who is passionate about helping each person in their own unique way of using the pastel medium to express themselves. She creates a culture of sharing and joyful exploration in each workshop that encourages each person to take risks, to constructively critique their work, and to identify meaningful themes to pursue in their art. Dawn is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, a respected art judge and juror, author of the book Pastel Innovations, and has 7 instructional videos. Her work is known for its powerful energy and expressive way of combining realism with abstraction.
dawnemerson.com
SCULPTING THE STILL LIFE: SCULPT YOUR PASTEL TO SUCCESS!
May 30th – 31st
9:00am – 4:00pm PT
Online via Zoom
2 Day Workshop:
$250 for PSWC Members
$275 for Non-members
Register here
Otto Stürcke
About the Workshop:
Honing in from primary to smaller forms while implementing the right value and color choices will not only strengthen your creative process, but also allow you to work the piece as a whole and develop the detail to your liking.
This workshop will focus on properly rendering forms, size relationships, value and value structure, color temperature, use of transfers, and developing detail.
Instructor will lecture and demonstrate each step as you paint along in a process he thoroughly enjoys. Using both negative and positive shapes, you will render the primary planes of the objects prior to moving on to secondary forms and details. Critique and feedback will be provided throughout the process.
About the Artist:
Otto Stürcke, born in 1971 in Southern California, is a primarily self-taught artist who served in the U.S. Marine Corps before pursuing art. He worked as an illustrator, and learned that he favors pastels and the chiaroscuro style.
Otto has earned numerous awards, including Master Circle Status with the International Association of Pastel Societies, the Master Pastelist title, and the Dianne B. Bernhard Gold Medal from the Pastel Society of America. His works are featured in the Smithsonian’s American Latino Collective and the Butler Institute of American Art, and he has received multiple “Best In Show” honors and other notable awards. His art has also been published internationally.
SIMPLIFYING FOR STRENGTH
Sept 30th – Oct 2nd
9:00am – 3:30pm Local Time
Catalyst Arts Collaborative
6427 W Ustick Road
Boise ID 83704
3 Day Workshop:
$475 for PSWC Members:
Register here
$495 for Non-members:
Register here
Kim Lordier
Open to artists using oil or pastel
Do you want to draw people to YOUR painting from across the room?
Do you find yourself getting lost in the details?
No matter the style of your mark making, simplifying design and value structure will strengthen your painting!
Let’s dive into the power of values and composition in this three-day studio workshop.
Starting with an inspirational PowerPoint, timed exercises, demonstration, painting time and a personal critique session, our three days together will be packed with hard work and fun.
About the Artist:
Kim Lordier received a BFA in Illustration at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 1989. Her work has been showcased on the cover of PleinAir Magazine, Art of the West, Southwest Art, and Pastel Journal, as well as featured in Fine Art Connoisseur, American Artist, The Artist Magazine, and the PSWC Magazine. Acknowledged by jurors and her peers, Kim has received recognition for her landscapes at major plein air events, international magazine competitions, national pastel society shows and museum exhibitions. Kim is a Signature Member of the California Art Club, the Pastel Society of America, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, a Pastel Laureate of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and is a Master Circle honoree of the International Association of Pastel Societies. A coveted workshop instructor, Kim leads
workshops across the country.
ALL THE GUSTO WITHOUT THE DUST: INTRO TO PASTEL PENCILS
Nov 7th – 8th
9:00am – 3:30pm PT
Online via Zoom
2 Day Workshop:
$175 for PSWC Members
$195 for Non-members
Register here
Christine Obers
About the Workshop:
Participants will learn to paint a Grisaille.
A grisaille allows an artist to focus on form and values. It has been used as a formal teaching aid for centuries. In this workshop we will be creating a grisaille using only a few pastel pencils on a grey surface.
There will be a demo in the AM followed by questions. Artists will begin working on their individual projects. Artists may share their work in progress at any time by emailing or texting the image.
I’ll offer suggestions and advice that will be available to all participants, including how to fix problem areas.
12 hours instruction, 6 hours /day, with break for lunch and stretches.
About the Artist:
Christine has won numerous international awards including the Master Circle, Gold Medal from the International Association of Pastel Societies and Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America. She is also a Distinguished Pastelist in the Pastel Society of the West Coast and Master Pastelist in the Pastel Artists of Canada Association.
Her artwork has been exhibited at the National Arts Club, in New York; Albuquerque NM; Morro Bay CA, and the Aurora Art Center, Ontario, Canada. She has been featured in major art publications, including the Pastel Journal, Southwest Art and American Art Collector. Obers’s artwork can be found in private collections throughout Canada and the US.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Full Refund minus a $50 administration fee up to 30 days prior to the workshop
- 50% refund after that up to 2 weeks before the scheduled date of the workshop
- No refund within 2 weeks of the workshop
- Exception for unexpected illness, i.e, COVID, and a refund of 50% or credit to attend an upcoming workshop
- In lieu of a refund, you can transfer your spot to someone else, by having that person confirm the transfer to us up until 3 days prior to the start of the workshop