Patricia Otero

Soft pastel painting workshop

March 21/22/23, 2025 - SOLD OUT

March 28/29/30, 2025 - SOLD OUT

Thanks to the numerous requests and registrations and the first sold out reached in a few hours, we are happy to open a second date for the Patricia workshop, to give students the opportunity to participate in this event.

We therefore announce the opening of registrations for the dates 28, 29 and 30 March 2025.

For the first time here in Italy, SCUOLA LE MUSE is proud to welcome renowned pastel artist Patricia Otero, internationally acclaimed for her captivating pet portraits and her passion for engaging with the public through her work.

In this exclusive workshop in Rome, Patricia will focus on one of the most beloved of pets (the dog) guiding participants through her expert techniques to create lifelike, expressive portraits.

Details

Dates: Friday 28, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 March 2025

Duration: 21-hour full immersion (three days of 7 hours each)

Times: 09:30 - 13:00 / 14:30 - 18:00

Workshop price: €450 per person, materials not included

Technique: soft pastels on paper

Minimum number of participants: 12

Maximum number of participants: 17

Level: for everyone

Language: English, Italian

Technique taught: soft pastel (stick and pencils)

Size of the work: 30x40cm

Subject: the dog

Workshop description

This comprehensive workshop is designed for artists eager to master the art of hyperrealistic pet portraits, with a special focus on dogs. Students will be guided through every step of the process, starting with sketching and composition, to develop a strong foundation for their artwork. We’ll dive deep into understanding values, learning how to balance light and dark tones effectively to give your portrait depth and dimension.

One of the key focuses will be on achieving realism, particularly in capturing lifelike expressions and the fine details that bring a portrait to life. A significant part of the workshop will cover rendering realistic fur texture, from short, sleek fur to longer, thicker coats, ensuring you can adapt your techniques to different types of fur even within the same subject. You’ll learn how to represent a variety of fur colors and textures to ensure your dog portrait looks natural and vibrant, with skills that will carry over to future works.

The reference photo for the subject will be provided by the tutor, Patricia, and carefully chosen to be ideal for learning all the techniques covered in the workshop. This will allow students to focus on mastering their pastel techniques without worrying about selecting the right subject.

Beyond texture, students will explore how to bring out the personality of their subject through subtle details, focusing on the eyes and expressions to create a sense of liveliness in the portrait. We’ll also cover how to paint smooth, gradient backgrounds that enhance your subject without drawing attention away from the main focus.

Working with pastel pencils and soft pastels, you’ll gain hands-on experience with a variety of tools and techniques, learning how to layer and blend colors to achieve a hyperrealistic effect. We’ll also explore into the specifics of working from a reference photo, teaching you how to translate a flat image into a detailed and dynamic piece of art.

By the end of this workshop, you’ll have gained a deep understanding of the skills and techniques needed to create a striking, hyperrealistic pet portrait. Whether you’re an experienced artist looking to refine your pastel techniques or a beginner eager to learn new skills, this workshop will equip you with everything you need to take your artwork to the next level.

Calendar

DAY 1: Introduction and Foundations

Welcome and introduction to pastel techniques, materials, and tools.
Students will complete a test piece to familiarize themselves with the pastel medium and surface.
We will cover sketching techniques and transferring the reference photo to the canvas.
Begin the early stages and most important parts of the portrait, focusing on base layers and preliminary details.

Instruction will be both group-based and individual, ensuring personalised guidance for those who need more assistance.

DAY 2: Developing the Portrait

A full day dedicated to advancing the main portrait.

We’ll dive deeper into Color theory, Value scale, and how to apply it in your work.
Pastel and layering techniques will be explored in more detail, building on the base layers established on Day 1.
Focus on different aspects of the dog’s anatomy, working through areas like fur, eyes, and facial structure.

Group and individual instruction will continue to ensure each student progresses at their own pace.

DAY 3: Finalising the Artwork & Q&A

We will continue refining and finishing the portrait, applying advanced pastel techniques and layering methods.
Additional attention will be given to fine details, ensuring the portrait achieves a high level of realism.
If there is interest from the group, we will dedicate some time in the afternoon for an optional Q&A session. This will provide an opportunity for students to ask about anything from painting techniques to business-related topics, or to seek further guidance on the portrait process.

Materials

Materials are the student's responsibility.

The complete list of materials will be provided approximately 30 days before the workshop.

Extra

After completing the workshop, each student will receive exclusive, lifetime access to a pre-recorded video covering the entire portrait process with detailed explanations. This video will be available to you whenever you need it, whether it’s to revisit specific techniques, reinforce your understanding, or take extra time to complete your portrait at your own pace. This course will be entirely yours, designed to support your unique learning journey beyond our time together in the workshop.

About the artist

Patricia Otero

With over a decade of experience as a professional artist, Patricia Otero has built a thriving career specialising in hyperrealistic portraiture. Her work is in high demand, with a waiting list stretching five years, and she has completed over 400 commissioned portraits for clients around the world. Patricia’s ability to capture the essence of her subjects has earned her a reputation for creating detailed, lifelike portraits that resonate with pet owners and collectors alike.

Her workshops draw on this extensive experience, giving students the opportunity to learn techniques honed through years of professional work. From mastering fur texture and lifelike expressions to using pastels for realistic effects, Patricia shares her practical knowledge in a way that’s accessible and inspiring for artists of all levels.