Name: Pastels for the Very Beginner
Start: 2026-04-08T13:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-08T16:00:00-04:00
Location: The Art Supply Depo Sylvania

Instructor: Mary Jane Erard
Ages: Adults and Mature Teens 14+
Skill level: All
Wednesday, April 8th from 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
$60.00
Join us for a fun and informative workshop with award winning artist, Mary Jane Erard. In MJ’s Pastel Basics Workshop, you will learn to:
• Understand the materials used in working with pastels, how different papers and brands of pastel influence your work
• Plan your painting and make a preliminary sketch to guide you
• Make a background under painting
• Work from dark to light tones
• Make and render shadows
• Blend from one color to another
• Render basic shapes
• Add detail, light tones and highlights
• Complete a simple pastel painting Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to plan and render a simple pastel drawing or painting. All materials are included.
About the Instructor: Mary Jane Erard is an award-winning artist painting mostly in soft pastel and mixed media with acrylic. Her works are usually rural landscapes of the US and Europe. Mary Jane's artwork is owned by many private collectors and included in several corporate collections. She has exhibited in many group and solo exhibitions since the mid 1990s. Ms. Erard's artwork has been published several times in national magazines and books including Best of American Pastel Painters and Southwest Art magazine. Mary Jane is a juried member of the Pastel Society of America. For over 20 years, Mary Jane has been represented by the Collector's Corner at the Toledo Museum of Art. In addition to her painting career, Mary Jane is a sought after art educator in Ohio and Michigan. As a working professional artist, Mary Jane offers helpful insight to private students who are looking for both art instruction and helpful career advice in the visual arts. She has served as a juror for many exhibits and competitions including, a 2017 judge for the AICUO's Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts for the State of Ohio, the Crosby Festival of the Arts, and the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Festival in Michigan.
Cancellation Policy: We will refund 50% for any cancellation made at least eight days before the class. After 8 days, we are unable to provide refunds for any reason, including illness. If you cannot attend after registration, you are welcome to gift your tuition to a friend at no charge. We do not transfer tuition from one class to another.