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(4-Day Course)Pastel Drawing Masterclass
Learn the old master technique from the world leading experts and artists Embark on Your Artistic JourneyBOOK NOW
From the velvety textures of 18th-century portraiture to the vibrant, atmospheric works of the Impressionists, pastel has a rich and fascinating history. In this immersive Pastel Drawing Masterclass, you will explore how masters like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Jean-Baptiste Perronneau used pastel to create luminous, expressive artworks.
Over four inspiring days, you will study historical pastel techniques, experiment with layering and blending, and develop your own style while working from life. Perfect for artists of all levels, this hands-on course will deepen your understanding of pastel as a medium and help you capture both realism and atmosphere.
Study with World-Class Art Tutors
Learn from professional artists and educators with extensive experience in pastel drawing and art history. Our tutors have trained at world-renowned institutions such as:
Royal Academy of Arts, Slade School of Fine Art, Central Saint Martins
École des Beaux-Arts, Paris
Florence Academy of Art, Italy
Bringing together traditional methods and contemporary innovation, they will guide you through the techniques that made pastel a favourite among portraitists and Impressionists alike.
About Sunny Art Centre
Sunny Art Centre is one of London’s most respected art schools, known for its high-quality tuition and combination of classical foundations with innovative practices. We have delivered workshops for institutions such as the National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, and BBC.
What you will Learn
Historical origins of pastel in the 17th–19th centuries
How Degas and the Impressionists transformed pastel into a modern medium
Layering and blending to create luminous depth
Capturing light, texture, and atmosphere with colour harmony
Drawing from life – portraits, figures, and still life arrangements
Techniques for expressive mark-making and gestural drawing
You will gain essential pastel drawing skills, including:
Light theory – controlling tonal values for volume and drama
Colour theory – building vibrancy through layering and glazing-like effects
Surface choice – working on toned and textured papers for varied effects
Edges and transitions – balancing softness with definition
Course Structure (4 Consecutive Days)
Day 1 & 2 (10 am–5 pm) – Guided tuition, historical overview, and practical exercises in pastel handling and layering.
Day 3
Morning (10 am–1 pm): Taught portrait or still life session
Afternoon (2 pm–5 pm): Self-directed studio practice
Day 4
Morning (10 am–1 pm): Studio practice and final project completion
Ideal for art portfolio preparation or lifelong learners
Certification
Upon completing the programme, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Sunny Art Centre, recognising your achievement in mastering historical and modern pastel drawing techniques.
Suitable For:
Beginners to advanced artists
Teenagers and adults
Those interested in historical drawing methods, Impressionism, and expressive techniques
Artists seeking to add pastel expertise to their portfolio
From the velvety textures of 18th-century portraiture to the vibrant, atmospheric works of the Impressionists, pastel has a rich and fascinating history. In this immersive Pastel Drawing Masterclass, you will explore how masters like Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, and Jean-Baptiste Perronneau used pastel to create luminous, expressive artworks.
Over four inspiring days, you will study historical pastel techniques, experiment with layering and blending, and develop your own style while working from life. Perfect for artists of all levels, this hands-on course will deepen your understanding of pastel as a medium and help you capture both realism and atmosphere.
Study with World-Class Art Tutors
Learn from professional artists and educators with extensive experience in pastel drawing and art history. Our tutors have trained at world-renowned institutions such as:
Royal Academy of Arts, Slade School of Fine Art, Central Saint Martins
École des Beaux-Arts, Paris
Florence Academy of Art, Italy
Bringing together traditional methods and contemporary innovation, they will guide you through the techniques that made pastel a favourite among portraitists and Impressionists alike.
About Sunny Art Centre
Sunny Art Centre is one of London’s most respected art schools, known for its high-quality tuition and combination of classical foundations with innovative practices. We have delivered workshops for institutions such as the National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts, and BBC.
What you will Learn
Historical origins of pastel in the 17th–19th centuries
How Degas and the Impressionists transformed pastel into a modern medium
Layering and blending to create luminous depth
Capturing light, texture, and atmosphere with colour harmony
Drawing from life – portraits, figures, and still life arrangements
Techniques for expressive mark-making and gestural drawing
You will gain essential pastel drawing skills, including:
Light theory – controlling tonal values for volume and drama
Colour theory – building vibrancy through layering and glazing-like effects
Surface choice – working on toned and textured papers for varied effects
Edges and transitions – balancing softness with definition
Course Structure (4 Consecutive Days)
Day 1 & 2 (10 am–5 pm) – Guided tuition, historical overview, and practical exercises in pastel handling and layering.
Day 3
Morning (10 am–1 pm): Taught portrait or still life session
Afternoon (2 pm–5 pm): Self-directed studio practice
Day 4
Morning (10 am–1 pm): Studio practice and final project completion
Ideal for art portfolio preparation or lifelong learners
Certification
Upon completing the programme, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion from Sunny Art Centre, recognising your achievement in mastering historical and modern pastel drawing techniques.
Suitable For:
Beginners to advanced artists
Teenagers and adults
Those interested in historical drawing methods, Impressionism, and expressive techniques
Artists seeking to add pastel expertise to their portfolio
Our 4-day workshop is available as both Private 1-to-1 Tuition and Group Tuition.
For Group Tuition, you will need to pre-arrange your group before booking. We can accommodate groups of up to 10 participants.
The workshop is offered year-round, and you can choose any 4 consecutive days (Monday to Sunday) as your preferred schedule. All sessions are held onsite at our Covent Garden studio in central London.
Workshop Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
KEY DETAILS
We will need at least 2 weeks' notice before your start date to ensure availability.
London's Premium Art CoursesUnlock Your Artistic Potential with
ADVANTAGES
Why Join Our Pastel Drawing Masterclass in London?
Learn from Expert Tutors
Gain guidance from professional artists trained at world-renowned institutions, including the Royal Academy of Arts, École des Beaux-Arts, and Florence Academy of Art.
Master Historical & Modern Techniques
Study the methods of Degas, Cassatt, and Perronneau while exploring contemporary pastel styles, layering, and blending techniques.
Central London Location
Enjoy learning in the heart of Covent Garden, with easy access to transport, shops, galleries, and cultural landmarks.
Small Group Sizes & Personal Attention
Benefit from an intimate learning environment where tutors can give tailored feedback and one-to-one guidance.
All Levels Welcome
Perfect for beginners, intermediates, and advanced artists — develop skills at your own pace in a supportive atmosphere.
Hands-On, Immersive Learning
Over four inspiring days, work from life on portraits, figures, and still life arrangements, while building a strong portfolio.
OUR ART TUTORS
Our tutors have exceptional skills and unparalleled experience when it comes to advising students for their portfolios. they honed their valuable skills and trained at some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including the Royal College of Art and the Royal Academy of Arts, the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, Central Saint Martins College of Art, Chelsea College of Art, Bartlett School of Architecture, and Goldsmith College of Art in London, the Athens Academy in Greece and the Florence Academy of Art. They exhibit their work in the UK as well as internationally, and have appeared in various publications and programs, including those of the BBC. These qualities guarantee the high success rate our students achieve in entering the programmes of their choice.
The extraordinary efforts of the art tutors ensure that the organisation can continuously deliver bespoke cutting-edge art tuition for students both on-site at our London art studio, Sunny Art Centre or remotely online.
CONTACT US
ADDRESS: Sunny Art Centre
Covent Garden
Kemble St
London
WC2B 4AW
OPENING HOURS: Mon - Fri: 10:00- 18:00 Sat: 9:00-16:00 Sun: Close to the Public
TUBE
Covent Garden: Picadilly Line
Holborn: Central Line/Picadilly Line
BUSES
Aldwych Kingsway ( Stop F ) Buses: 1,68,91,168,188,N1,N68,N91,N171,SL6
CAR PARKS
Lincoln's Inn Fields Car Park (Open 24/7) Urban Parking Shelton Street (Open 24/7) NCP London Covent Garden (Open 24/7) Intelli-Park Covent Garden (Open 24/7)
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