Make an initial sketch. This helps you to develop the design, composition and flow of the painting. Use the sketch to develop light and direction.

All the rough sketch-like pencil marks you see in my drawing help draw you into the focal point, which is the job of an artist.

By keeping it simple, it is far easier to work on the design elements.

1. On a sheet of indigo Canson Mi-Teintes Touch paper, block in a series of colours, placing the light in the top left third of the painting. The colours I used in the sky – light blue, pink, peach and soft yellow – were continued throughout the painting, but with different values added.

2. After placing enough colour on the paper, use either your fingers or a piece of pipe insulation to blend the colours together.

1. Place the distant trees using grey purple. Mix with a little light blue and yellow to add atmosphere, as you don’t want a completely flat surface.

2. Add light blue, peach and purple to the right-hand bank of snow.

Using Prussian blue, purple grey, blue grey and turquoise, add the trees on the left-hand side of the painting.

1. It is time now to add the darkest tonal values to the painting. Use lots of colours within the trees on the right: Prussian blue, turquoise, a series of different browns and blue grey. The main emphasis is on tonal values here.

2. Notice how the less dense trees behind them add interest and depth. Using either a sharp pastel, pastel pencil or Conté pastel, add a suggestion of branch work to this area, placing the main detail toward the centre of the painting.

3. Using your lightest soft yellow, add the light to the focal point now then add colour into the foreground area.

Continue to draw the viewer into the focal point using simple directional pastel strokes of the same colours you used in the sky.

The finished painting

The Golf Course, Unison pastel on indigo Mi-Teintes Touch paper, (14x47cm)

Looking at the textures in the finished painting, you can still see some of the fantastic indigo coloured micro-abrasive surface coming through, which helps so much when you are painting with pastel.

Sometimes we may include links to online retailers, from which we might receive a commission if you make a purchase. Affiliate links do not influence editorial coverage and will only be used when covering relevant products.

SEE MORE PASTEL PAINTING DEMONSTRATIONS HERE

Les runs pastel workshops throughout the UK.

He also offers demonstrations and appraisals for art groups, and leads painting holidays in the UK, Spain and Croatia.

If a group of ten or more artists would like him to run a workshop, telephone him to discuss details.

Les also has several instructional videos on YouTube, find out more on his website, www.lesdarlow.com

This demonstration is taken from Leisure Painter January 2016. Enjoy endless inspiration with access to past and present issues of both The Artist and Leisure Painter magazines, plus exclusive video demos, tutorials and more, with our Studio Membership! Discover how you can join today.