CLASS OR WORKSHOP: Class
IN PERSON/ONLINE: IN PERSON
TITLE: Beginning Pastel:
Working from the Still Life
INSTRUCTOR: Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA
DATE: October 17, 24, and 31, 2025
TIME: 11 am to 2 pm
LOCATION: Arlene’s Artist Materials
LIMIT: 10 students
LEVEL: ALL
MEMBER: $199 per student
NON-MEMBER: $212.50 per student
Preregistration is required to attend all classes and workshops at Arlene’s. Space is limited so please register soon. Click the link to register online. Otherwise, please come into the store, at 57 Fuller Rd Albany NY, or call us, at (518) 482-8881, to reserve your space.
In this immersive three-week course, you’ll discover the radiant magic of soft pastels—where powdered pigment meets expressive artistry. Working from classic still life setups, you’ll learn to see with fresh eyes and translate light, shadow, and form into bold, layered color.
Each week builds your confidence and technique:
✨ Week 1: Foundations — Get hands-on with materials, sketch your setup, and master essential pastel strokes and blending.
🌟 Week 2: Form & Color — Dive into layering, depth, and surface character to make your compositions come alive.
🎨 Week 3: Expression — Refine your study, play with edges and texture, and infuse your work with personal style.
Designed for artists with basic drawing experience, this course offers step-by-step demos, individual guidance, and a supportive space to grow. You’ll leave with a vibrant portfolio of pastel studies—and the skills to keep creating long after the dust settles. Supplies are not included—click the link to learn more. Spots are limited—register now and let your creativity shine!
A quick note about classroom etiquette: phones may absolutely be used for visual reference, but please silence calls and notifications. This is a focused, art-centered workshop, and we ask that conversations remain rooted in painting and creative exploration so that everyone can stay engaged and inspired.
Please note that our classes are typically held in the lower level of Arlene's. Because access to the lower level is available only by stair, please let us know if using the stairs presents any difficulty for you in advance of the class so we can make alternate arrangements. We want to make sure everyone is able to enjoy and participate in our classes
You may also like the following events from Arlene's Artist Materials, Inc.:
- Next month, 3rd October, 11:00 am, Intro to Watercolor with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA in Albany
- Next month, 8th October, 11:00 am, Plein Air Painting: Studio to Landscape with Carolyn DiFiori Hopkins, MFA in Albany
- Next month, 11th October, 11:00 am, Paint a Bristlehead with Kris Woodward in Albany
Also check out other
Workshops in Albany,
Arts events in Albany,
Fine Arts events in Albany.