{"product_id":"introduction-to-oil-pastel-with-xiaochen-fiona-bao","title":"Introduction to Oil Pastel Painting: Exploring Texture, Colour, and Technique with Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao (NEW!)","description":"\u003cp\u003eLearn the versatile and expressive techniques of oil pastels, moving beyond simple drawing to create sophisticated, painterly artworks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDates:\u003c\/strong\u003e 25 – 26 July 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTimes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am – 4.00pm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(43, 0, 255);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVenue\u003c\/strong\u003e: NatureArt Lab Studio, M16 Artspace, 21 Blaxland Crescent, Griffith; free parking is available at either the front or both sides of the building.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Course\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAre you ready to reimagine the humble oil pastel? Often dismissed as a children's tool, this course will reveal the incredible potential of oil pastels for serious art. You'll gain a deep understanding of their unique characteristics and explore how they can produce effects ranging from loose and expressive to highly detailed and realistic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis course will cover the essential tools, including different grades of pastels and various paper types, as well as crucial techniques. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will explore basic color theory as it applies to the medium, including layering, blending, and creating optical color mixes. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe course includes hands-on practice with techniques like sgraffito, impasto, blending with solvents (turpentine\/mineral spirits), and creating textured underlayers. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou will complete a series of small, focused studies to build familiarity and confidence, culminating in a finished piece that highlights the medium's ability to create a visually convincing, oil-painting-like effect.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are welcome to print out your favourite images of landscapes, flowers or anything you would like to paint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLearning Outcomes: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"158\" data-end=\"368\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"160\" data-end=\"368\"\u003eDevelop confidence using oil pastels through an understanding of materials, core techniques (layering, blending, sgraffito, impasto), and basic colour theory to create depth, texture, and expressive colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"369\" data-end=\"590\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"590\"\u003eComplete two resolved oil pastel artworks, progressing from a simple landscape to a more complex subject, with an understanding of composition, light, and how to take an artwork from concept through to a finished piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLevel of experience: \u003c\/strong\u003eSuitable for beginners through to intermediate artists who want to explore a versatile, low-cost, and non-toxic medium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaterials List:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOil Pastel Drawing Materials (you need to buy your own materials)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArtist-grade oil pastels a small set (warm and cool red, warm and cool green, blue, warm and cool yellow, brown, and 2 WHITE, we will use more white than any other colors. You can also buy some really light green, light pink or other pastel colors. We can create an impressionistic painting with the light colors)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOil Pastel Paper (textured paper, pastel board, or heavyweight card) ~8 sheets\/person\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlending tools: cotton swabs, and rags\/paper towels\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEraser and Pencils \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMasking tape (for securing paper)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the tutor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eXiaochen (Fiona) Bao a children’s book illustrator, fine artist and emerging curator based in Canberra. Xiaochen was born in Taiyuan, Shanxi, a city that is extremely rich in Chinese cultural history and traditional Chinese art. She has been studying art in Canada and the U.S. for years. Profoundly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist doctrines, she wishes her art to transmit similar positive and natural energy to the environment and viewers while inspiring meditation. She is inspired by both eastern and western ancient poems, songs, myths, and of course nature. She believes that the natural environment is the one of the best catalysts for artworks, and she is passionate about sharing the spiritual essence and philosophical reflections embedded in Chinese ink painting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatureArt Lab Awards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2022, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and National Finalist Award\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2024, Telstra Best of Business Award Winner for Building Communities, ACT; and National Finalist Award\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2025, Telstra Best of Business Award Finalist for Promoting Sustainability, ACT; and Finalist for Accelerating Women, ACT\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2025, Awards Australia Semi-Finalist for Connecting Communities, NSW and ACT; and Semi-Finalist for Small Business Award NSW and ACT. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImage credits: Xiaochen (Fiona) Bao\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NatureArt Lab","offers":[{"title":"25 - 26 July 2026","offer_id":42480044015679,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0020\/0117\/4591\/files\/IMG_3788.jpg?v=1762243568","url":"https:\/\/natureartlab.com.au\/products\/introduction-to-oil-pastel-with-xiaochen-fiona-bao","provider":"NatureArt Lab","version":"1.0","type":"link"}