The Power of Pastels with Andrea Gianchiglia— July–August 2026
About the Class
This pastels class will offer exposure to one of the most expressive mediums in an artist’s toolkit. This 6-week series with Andrea Gianchiglia is your chance to really dig into what they can do. Each week builds on the last, with Andrea guiding you through a fresh challenge designed to push your skills forward.
Discussions and demos cover the full range of what makes pastel work sing: color theory, proportion, drawing fundamentals, texture, and layering. Andrea walks through each concept step by step, so whether you’re relatively new to pastels or coming in with some experience, you’ll leave every session with something concrete to show for it — and something new to think about.
This pastels class is a rare opportunity to spend six weeks in focused study with an experience instructor, in the kind of small, serious-but-relaxed class environment that actually lets you grow. Spots fill fast.
Tuesdays, July 14 – August 18 | 1pm–3:30pm | 6 sessions | All levels welcome
Materials
A great starter set is Prismacolor NuPastels. The minimum recommended set is 36 count. Surfaces are important for pastels. Pastelmat by Clairefontaine is recommended — a variety pack in several colors in 9″ x 12″ is encouraged.
Other great pastel brands (optional): Unison, Terry Ludwig, Sennelier.
Cancellation Policy
Students cancelling at least one week prior to the start of class will receive a full refund. Within one week of the start date, tuition is non-refundable, as we must cover materials and instructor costs.
Andrea Gianchiglia
Andrea Gianchiglia is a professional fine artist and instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience. She holds a BFA from the Hartford Art School and works full-time creating fine art and private commissions, with a special focus on animal portraiture rooted in realism and traditional representational art.
Andrea teaches adults and teens at institutions including the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey and The Center for Contemporary Art. Through her teaching platform, Create & Inspire, she also offers online courses, a supportive artist membership, private lessons, workshops, and art retreats abroad to breathtaking European destinations.
Known for creating a fun and relaxed learning environment, Andrea teaches through demonstrations and clear step-by-step instruction that helps students build confidence and grow their skills. As a member of the Society of Animal Artists and the Pastel Society of America, she encourages artists to explore color boldly and often reminds them, “When in doubt, add purple.”
Website: agillustration.com, createandinspire.art
Instagram: @andrea.gianchiglia.art
Facebook: AGanimalart
YouTube: @agillustration