June 27 - 29, 2025. Three day soft pastel workshop at Chateau de Saint-Germain-des-Pres
- Instruction by experienced facilitator & artist Hazel Burgess
- Excursion to pastel maker Girault (Montignac) to view their expositions and store
- Optional accommodation & meals at Chateau de Saint-Germain-des-Pres
- Optional supplies provided or bring your own
In this 3 day workshop, you will discover the techniques of using soft pastel and and leave with at least one piece of artwork.
In this workshop we explore the basic techniques including:
- Mark making techniques
- Blending
- Surfaces to use
- Recommended tools to use
- Organising your pastel painting space
- The background to soft pastels
We will be mostly working with photographs provided but you may bring close up images of your favourite subject. Hazel will give brief demonstrations but the core of this weekend is discovery by play!
Excursion to Girault in Montignac
Discover Pastels Girault®, founded in 1780, the oldest brand of dry pastel still in activity today, and the only one still creating products in France. Born in the golden age of pastel, Pastels Girault® quickly made a name for themselves with outstanding qualities rarely found in a single product.
We will visit the store and gallery on-site (purchases optional). There may be extra time to discover the pretty town of Montignac. Enjoy lunch on your own in the town, reservations recommended for most restaurants.
Return transport provided from the Chateau to Girault for all participants.
Pastel Passion at the Chateau
If you have some pastel materials, you may bring them with you. Alternatively, you can select the option to have supplies provided (for a fee, and you can take them with you at the end of the course). You will need :
- 4 full size sheets of good quality pastel paper, preferably with a textured surface, such as Clairefontaine Pastelmat Pastel Paper 360gsm, Canson Mi-Teintes Touch Pastel Paper or Canson Velvet. 2 x Pale and 2 x dark.
- Alternatively, pads, minimum size 24 x 30cm, 16 sheets (so you would need 2 pads of this). Again, these should be textured and include pale and dark sheets.
- A good range of at least 25 assorted colours, mid-range quality soft pastels including darks and lights.
- Protective clothing & nitrate gloves if you prefer not to handle pastel sticks directly.
Pastel Quality & Quantity
A good range of at least 25 assorted colours, mid-range quality soft pastels including darks and lights. If you’re buying some specially,
Recommended brand Girault. (France)
Examples of mid-range quality - Jacksons Art Supplies Jacksons (own make), Rembrandt, Daler Rowney, Royal Talens.