Pastel Portrait Workshop with Fernando Mariscal

Learn to capture the human face with confidence, color, and spontaneity in this intimate two-hour pastel portrait workshop led by artist Fernando Mariscal.

Known for his vibrant, instinctive approach to portraiture, Fernando brings the same energy to his teaching that he brings to his canvas — encouraging students to trust their eye, loosen their hand, and let the pastel lead. Working from a live model, you will explore the essentials of portrait rendering: reading light and shadow, understanding facial structure, and finding the gestural quality that brings a face to life on paper.

No prior experience is required. Whether you are picking up pastels for the first time or looking to push your existing practice in a new direction, Fernando meets every student where they are and guides them toward a finished piece they can be proud of.

Bring the basic materials:

• set of pastels – they don’t have to be fancy
• a toned paper pad, either gray or brown, that has a little texture to the surface – again nothing fancy. Size: 8×10 or 11 x 14

Come learn from this painter who really works with exuberance from the heart.

“Just have fun with it” is his mantra.  He is known for this sentiment of fearlessly approaching materials and subject matter.  His new body of work explores a deeper imagination with surrealist elements and layers of soft geometry, with figures emerging here and there, as if searching for something.

This exhibition also honors his diverse body of work spanning landscapes, portraits, and explorations beyond.  We will have a number of his studies available to view and purchase.  Known throughout the Montclair community for paintings that are as vibrant as they are immediate, Fernando works fluidly across oil and pastel, letting his materials lead him somewhere unexpected every time.

Whether you’re a longtime admirer, a fellow artist, or simply someone who loves being in the presence of something being made, this is an evening not to miss.

Pastel Workshop  Saturday, April 25 · 1:00 – 3:00 PM

The Space Montclair 5 S. Willow St, Montclair, NJ