Learning to work with pastels is both a joy and a challenge. There are so many types of pastels out there, and each brand offers its own qualities, textures, and possibilities.

You can mix soft pastel pencils with soft pastel sticks and blend them together… or you can use oil pastels almost like oil paint, thinning them with turpentine to create rich, painterly effects. Pastels offer an incredible range of techniques to explore, and that’s part of what makes them so exciting.

There are also many wonderful teachers who generously share their pastel knowledge. I’ve put together a short list of my personal favorites—artists who offer clear guidance, inspiring demonstrations, and a deep understanding of the medium.

Many of them share their lessons for free on YouTube, so if you enjoy their work, please show your appreciation with a like, a “thumbs up,” or by subscribing to their channels. It really helps support their efforts.

Here are my selection of preferred and the best pastel teachers:

• Susan Jenkins, offers an extensive look into the world of soft pastels. She shares her techniques with warmth and generosity, and her YouTube channel, Monet Café has over 900 videos.
  For more about her work, visit the Susan Jenkins Fine Art website.
  
  
• Emma Colbert, is another generous teacher who specialises in portraits, landscapes, and wildlife in soft pastels.
  Her YouTube channel, Emma Colbert Art, features more than 340 videos full of tips and demonstrations.
  You can learn more about her on the Emma Colbert Art website.
  
  
• Jason Morgan, focuses on highly realistic pastel drawings of animals and wildlife.
  His YouTube channel, Jason Morgan Animal Art Lessons Draw / Paint, includes over 700 videos where he shares his process in detail.
  For additional information, visit the:
  Jason Morgan Professional Artist website.
  
  
• Karen Margulis, last but definitely not least, Karen is a fantastic teacher who explores a wide range of art forms, with soft pastels at the heart of her work.
  Her YouTube channel, An Artist’s Life with Karen Margulis, offers more than 170 videos packed with insight and inspiration.
  You can find more about her on the Karen Margulis website.
  
  

Enjoy your Pastel painting journey!