Improvers' pastel painting workshop at fabulous Glasfryn Hall, North Wales
Description
We'll spend the day completing a North Wales landscape painting together from photographs. You can either follow me step-by-step or you can express your artistic freedom. In my improvers workshop it is assumed that you already know the basics when it comes to pastels and we'll get more or less straight into painting (if you would like an introduction to pastelling first, then one of my beginners workshops would be the best starting point). Having said that, my workshops are very conversational in style so there will be plenty of opportunity for questions, 'side projects' and demonstrations as we go along. Everything you need for the workshop is provided, including professional standard artist's materials, lunch and refreshments. You don't need to be super-experienced or talented to do my improvers workshop but it is designed for people: - confident enough to use pastels without being introduced to the basic techniques first* - who've already been on one of my beginners workshops You are welcome to bring your own pastels, paper or materials if you have them. Glasfryn Hall is the home, studio and gallery of your host, Dave Roberts PS, a professional pastel artist who specialises in painting the landscapes of North Wales. He was elected a member of The Pastel Society in 2024. The workshops are always fun and engaging. Previous participants have described it as the best day of their lives, or that they don't want the day to end (yes, seriously...). Perhaps the best testament is that around half of attendees on your workshop are likely to be returnees. Additionally, within the grounds of Glasfryn Hall is Oriel Glasfryn Gallery, showcasing the work of 40 Welsh artists and makers. The gallery opened in 2022 and is already one of the leading galleries in the UK. It will be open when you visit. Due to the length of the day, the workshop is only suitable for ages 12+. Glasfryn Hall is just 4 minutes off the A55 North Wales Expressway and is less than an hour from Liverpool and Manchester by car. Flint train station (west coast mainline) is 20 minutes away. * I use soft pastels. If you have worked with hard pastels (pencils and crayons) but are new to soft pastels I strongly recommend you start with a beginners workshop. They are very different media!
What's included in the price?
All equipment and materials (including pastels of the highest quality will be provided), as will lunch and a constant supply of light refreshments. You don't need to bring anything but feel free to bring your own pastels if you wish
Duration
6 hours
Cancellation policy
Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts
Maker
I'm a professional pastel artist and member of The Pastel Society who specialises in capturing the stunning beauty of the North Wales landscape. My paintings are often described as photo-realistic. I'm lucky enough to live in a beautiful country house in north east Wales (the venue for the workshops) and we opened the area's only independent art and craft gallery within the grounds at Easter 2022 (orielglasfryn.com). As well as my own paintings, the gallery showcases the work of over 40 other Welsh 3-d artists and will be open on the day of your workshop. My work is the antithesis of how most people would imagine a pastel painting to be; they are bold and vivid with lots of detail. Being self-taught, I have developed some unusual techniques which means that there will be something to learn regardless of whether you book a beginners' or improvers' course.
Suitable for
- Adults
- Seniors
- Teenagers
- Stag dos
- Hen dos
- Mother's Day
- Suitable for all abilities
- Corporate days out & team building
- Public transport
- UK Holiday
- Daytime (weekdays)
- Intermediate level
- Weekends
- Engagement, birthdays & anniversaries
- Parking provided
- Father's Day
FAQs
The main difference between my beginners and improvers workshops is that during the former we spend about 90 minutes at the start of the day learning what pastels are and going through some of the basic techniques, while in the latter we pretty much get straight down to painting. Most people who book onto my improvers course are returners whose only experience of pastels (or painting more generally) is one day on my beginners course. So, it's fair to say that the difference in 'standard' between the two is negligible. It really depends whether you want to run through the basics of pastel painting before getting stuck in
Yes, there is ample parking at the venue. I will email you shortly before the workshop with full joining instructions.
There is also an art gallery on site (Oriel Glasfryn Gallery) and this will be open when you visit.
Flint train station (West Coast mainline) is 20 minutes away. While it is possible to get here from the station by bus, a taxi is your best option.
Yes, if you contact me I can suggest places to stay.
I run the workshops in my home, Glasfryn Hall, which is a Victorian house accessed by two steps. This may cause problems if you have severely restricted mobility. Don't hesitate to get in touch if you would like to discuss this.
Yes, lunch and refreshments are provided and I will contact shortly before the workshop to ask if you have any special dietary requirements.
We use 'soft' pastels in the workshops. These can create airborne pastel dust during the workshop. Most participants won't even notice it but if it's a problem for you then I can provide a mask. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss this before booking.
While I would hesitate to guarantee anything, about 400 people have done my workshops to date and every single one of them has completed a painting on the day (a handful have even done two!).
At the end of the workshop, I will put your picture in a mount and you will take it home with you.
