Linda Budde's Pastel Drawing Workshop Review
Read what Linda Budde had to say about her recent time at Art4Heart.
"I attended a 2-day workshop with pastels, my first-ever experience with pastel drawing. On the first day, we were introduced to different stroke and blending techniques, as well as colour mixing. It was very informative. Afterwards, we chose a picture (landscape) to draw. Needless to say, my attempt in my eyes was disastrous. I wasn't mentally prepared. Our teacher, Susan van Zyl, explained everything perfectly in detail. However, I just couldn't connect with the picture I had chosen. As I'm used to fine art with the smallest of brushes, the landscape did not work for me personally, as we blended with our fingers. I think being mentally prepared is key for me.
Needless to say, the following day I took my own drawing... quite a difficult one which I had chosen weeks before and was mentally prepared for, as I had been looking at my picture for weeks... and I was going to use pastel pencils. I really enjoyed that class!!! I was in my own moment and world. The class helped me to understand that using my own picture is sometimes better than the one provided. I loved the fact that my teacher left me alone to do my thing, and if I struggled, I felt very comfortable asking her. I was in a class of 3 and each did their own drawing. This I enjoyed because many times at a workshop everyone is required to do the same drawing. This, in my eyes, creates conflict as one may be better in landscapes or seascapes and another in flowers or portraits.
In conclusion, I think it's better to have your own picture to work from as it creates a lot less stress for yourself... however, it never hurts to try something new. Susan, I love the way you leave everyone to explore themselves while at the same time correcting them when you see something can be improved in your artwork. I don't really have anything negative to say. It's all about the experience... and you have brought out the best in me with charcoal and now pastels." - Linda Budde
