Bloom & Life: Exploring Flowers and Fauna in Pastel

A five-week course exploring the vibrant world of flowers and
Fauna in pastels.

Beginning with an introduction to materials, colour
Confidence, and expressive Mark-making, you will gradually build your
understanding of layering, blending, texture and form. Through guided
Exercises and demonstrations, you'll learn how to use Bright, high-impact
Colour to create lively floral studies and capture the character and movement
Of animals.

As
The course progresses, we will combine flowers and fauna in more considered
Compositions, developing confidence in colour harmony, focal points and
expressive backgrounds. You’ll learn:

Handling
And care of soft pastels

Confident
Mark-making and expressive strokes

Layering
And blending techniques to create depth and luminosity

Observing
And simplifying shapes in flowers and animals

Creating
Texture for petals, feathers, fur, and wings

Using
Colour contrast and harmony effectively

Developing
Composition and focal points

Adding
Highlights, shadows, and final refinements

Presenting
And preserving pastel artwork

In
The final week we'll complete a personal pastel artwork that reflects your
Individual style and growing technical ability.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a small body
Of work and a strong foundation in pastel techniques, along
With the confidence to continue exploring this vibrant medium independently.

This is a relaxed and supportive group suitable for beginners and
Those with some experience seeking to enhance their technique using pastels.

About the tutor:

Tutor Nikki McCathie is an experienced
Arts practitioner who has been delivering creative workshops for over 10 years
across the county. Nikki loves breaking down workshops into simple manageable
Steps to introduce beginners to new skills, materials and techniques.

Further information:

This five-week course will run on Monday mornings, 10am - 1pm
starting on 8 June, with the final session on 6 July 2026.

All materials and equipment will be provided. Please come in old
clothes and/or bring an apron as pastels can get messy! We do have aprons to
Borrow if you prefer.

Participants must be aged 18+.

If the
Course/workshop you'd like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list
Simply contact our box office team on / arts-centre@le.Ac.UK and ask to be added to the waiting
list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no
Obligation to accept it if you've made other plans!

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms
& Conditions before booking as courses/workshops
Are non-refundable if cancelled within 21 days of the start date for any
Reason.

We aim to
make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome
just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd
Like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss
your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email
Arts-centre@le.Ac.UK, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts
Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for
Blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays
and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to
Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road.

The closest public car park for parking at all
other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us (near De Montfort
Hall).