Autumnal Still Life in Soft Pastels

10am to 3.30pm

Join us for a one-day creative workshop exploring the rich, gentle colours of autumn through soft pastels.

Suitable for complete beginners and those with a little experience, the day will begin with a series of short exercises designed to help you get a feel for working with pastel sticks and pastel pencils. You’ll learn how to layer and blend colours, create different textures and marks, and begin to understand how the medium can be used to build up an image.

You’ll then use these techniques to create your own finished still-life picture, inspired by fresh, seasonal autumnal elements. The still life shown in the example images is indicative only; the final set-up will depend on the seasonal materials the tutor is able to source and bring on the day.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:

A finished autumn-inspired still-life drawing to take home.
An understanding of how to use soft pastel sticks and pastel pencils together.
Practical experience of layering, blending and creating texture with pastels.
A better understanding of the tools, materials and papers used with soft pastels, and how to get the most from them.
New skills and techniques you can continue to develop at home.
The confidence to carry on exploring soft pastels beyond the workshop.

All materials are provided, so there’s no need to invest in equipment before you’ve had a chance to try the medium for yourself. Tea, coffee and biscuits will also be provided throughout the day.

The emphasis is on having an enjoyable, relaxed and creative day, with plenty of guidance and encouragement along the way. Come along, take some time for yourself, explore the colours and textures of autumn, and see what you can create with pastels.

About your tutor

Fiona Hodges studied Fine Art at the University of Lincoln as a mature student – many more years ago than she cares to admit! She works across a variety of artistic mediums, with pastels being one of her favourites. She also has a particular love of animals as a subject, and will share her knowledge, tips and enthusiasm in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

still life workshop

06 October 2026 – Full Day – Fiona Hodges: Autumnal Still Life in Soft Pastels