Got two thumbs on the left side? Who needs experience with pastels www.thetingology.com/class? Countless sticks may appear before you, and you may find yourself bewildered as to which one actually makes an imprint on the paper. Last month, I was just that. Currently, I’m displaying pieces above my sofa that my friends think I purchased. How does it work? Actually, it’s just a very captivating pastel painting course that I took online.
Smudging is both expected and welcomed, so take that as your first lesson. Witnessing the dazzling dust on your fingertips brings an unusual delight. “Make a mess—perfection’s the enemy of creativity!” the teacher exhorts. In a matter of minutes, the constraint dissolved. It turns out that a little fixative spritzed or dabbed on an accident will make it go away on its own.
I was astounded by the color blending. Pastels, in my mind, would always appear like flat, juvenile crayons. Imagine a sunset in your home room by blending two shades—burnt sienna and sky blue—with a tissue. “Try it now” exercises are included in the course. Doodle a plethora of circles. I saw some that resemble oranges and some that resemble crushed grapefruits. Nothing matters. Exploration is the aim. There will be no composing lessons or rulers. Take it easy and have fun.
In the middle of the day, I couldn’t stop sketching my puppy. Not a serious picture, simply a jumble of wild hair. The teacher gently prods, saying, “Capture energy, not perfection.” No need to worry about being accurate. Using markings and streaks, you create a language all your own. Soft pastels are really easy to work with. Resulted in oversized ears? Flatten them out. Uninteresting enough? Top the brown with a thin layer of turquoise.
The impact of community is significant. For those just starting out, there is a private group where you may share your successes and failures. In every scene, a feline can be seen skulking in the distance. Swirling sceneries are displayed by a granny. Comments are always a great source of support and advice. There will be some positive energy, but you should expect to hear a lot about fixative brands. Imagine a warm coffee shop where the tables are adorned with paintings.
Some classes are just for fun, like learning how to make neon colors shine or how to splash water for unique effects. To demonstrate that chaotic can be fascinating, the instructor makes jokes, admits her mistakes, and even draws with her left hand occasionally. Knowledge spreads like wildfire.
The instructor’s approval becomes unnecessary after a few days, and you start to feel your hands moving more quickly and hearing your own creative voice. The true art is in that. Not photo-shopping, but rather releasing inhibitions and allowing your imagination run wild. This route offers you all the colors you need for the journey and turns that red light green for everyone waiting for authorization to create.