Material Pastel Study Workshop
Master the Art of Drawing Fabric - Folds, Texture & Movement
Dates: Monday, 13th January & Wednesday, 15th January 2026
Time: 10am - 12pm
Investment: $138 (All materials included)
Format: 2-Day Weekday Workshop
About This Workshop
Get up close and personal with one of my absolute favourites - learning to draw material! This focused two-day workshop is dedicated to mastering the beautiful challenge of capturing fabric on paper using pastels.
Drawing material convincingly is a skill that elevates any artist's work. Whether it's the drape of clothing in a portrait, the folds of a tablecloth in a still life, or the movement of fabric in motion, understanding how to render texture, weight, and flow will transform your artistic practice.
What You'll Learn
Over two comprehensive sessions, you'll discover all the tricks of the trade to make material work beautifully on paper:
- Understanding Fabric Behavior: Learn how different materials fall, fold, and catch the light
- Capturing Texture: Master techniques for showing smooth silk, rough linen, or soft cotton
- Creating Depth: Use tone and shadow to create realistic three-dimensional folds
- Light and Shadow: Understand how light plays across fabric surfaces
- Pastel Techniques: Develop your pastel skills specifically for rendering material
- Detail and Finish: Learn when to add detail and when to suggest texture
Workshop Structure
You will have two full sessions to perfect and finish your work:
- Day 1: Introduction to fabric drawing principles, observational studies, and beginning your main piece
- Day 2: Developing your work, refining details, and bringing your material study to completion
With dedicated time across both days, you'll have the opportunity to really develop your skills and create a finished piece that showcases your new abilities.
What's Included
All materials are provided, including:
- Quality pastel paper
- Professional pastels in a full range of tones
- Drawing tools and blending materials
- Reference fabric and setups
Of course, if you have favourite materials you prefer to work with, you're more than welcome to bring them along!
Why Learn to Draw Material?
Understanding how to draw fabric is an essential skill that will benefit your work in:
- Portraiture: Clothing and drapery add authenticity and interest
- Still Life: Fabric backgrounds and props create depth and composition
- Figure Drawing: Understanding how material moves with the body
- Classical Studies: Drapery is a fundamental skill in traditional art training
- Realism: Convincing fabric rendering adds polish to any realistic work
Perfect For
- Artists wanting to improve their observational drawing skills
- Those interested in portraiture or figure work
- Still life enthusiasts
- Anyone who loves working in pastels
- Artists seeking to master a challenging but rewarding subject
- Students wanting traditional drawing skills
- Creative minds ready for a focused artistic challenge
A Personal Favourite
This is one of my favourite subjects to teach! There's something deeply satisfying about capturing the subtle nuances of fabric - the way it catches light, creates shadow, and reveals form. I'm excited to share all the techniques I've learned over the years to help you create beautiful, convincing material studies.
Important Details
Booking Deadline: 31st December 2025
This ensures all materials arrive in time for our workshop.
Limited Numbers Do Apply
Limited numbers do apply so get in quick before it books out!
Ready to Master Material Drawing?
This workshop offers dedicated time to focus on a specific skill that will enhance all your future artwork. Whether you're looking to add polish to your portraits, depth to your still life work, or simply want to tackle a beautiful artistic challenge, this is your opportunity.
Click HERE to book your spot, and I'll send you payment details and booking confirmation via email.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the workshop, materials, or what to expect, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I'm here to help!
All skill levels welcome. Come ready to observe, practice, and discover the beautiful art of rendering fabric in pastel.