Sunday Studio: Pastel Painting Demo Forest Landscape

In this video I demonstrate a simple forest landscape with soft pastels. Originally a Facebook Live streaming video it is now available in the original unedited format. Join me in my studio as I share the painting process from selecting a subject to the adding the finishing touches.

[@debbiejohnson2789]

This work is stunningly beautiful! Thank you very much! You have a grand supply of chalks.

[@SmillyDonut]

This is beautiful and its so amazing to see how you create this work of art, both through your actions, but also with the explanation of your process. It makes things so much clearer for someone just starting out. Thank you for sharing this.

[@lotus615]

J'admire votre maîtrise et je suis toute vos vidéos .Quel plaisir et quelles merveilleuses sources de renseignements sur le pastel!Merci cher professeur et artiste.

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

Thank you for sharing your talents!

[@patriciasteedle7467]

Thank you Karen! Love your painting style and your homey atmosphere with Heidi & Jenny!😄😄

[@Michelle-ru7gm]

Excellent video! I love each of the steps you follow to create your painting...makes understanding so much easier. Looking forward to more videos if you have time.

[@lindataylor2192]

I learn so much from you Karen. You are my most favorite artist! Linda

[@magistra137]

Thank you Karen for sharing your expertise and talent so generously. It is so instructional and beneficial to watch you paint and it is also so much fun! I look forward to any time that you can share with us again!

[@janinapeska8347]

That’s an amazing job! I’m totally fallen in love ! You’re the best !🥰

[@kittylyon4429]

Thanks for sharing, Karen! Another fabulous painting! You make it look so easy! 😊

[@richardkeller3852]

It just amazes me the way you layer the colors and it all comes together make a beautiful picture.

[@CrafterKelliKelli]

I'm learning pastels in an online class so this video was very helpful! I'm struggling! Not used to painting this was at all! Love your video and your dog! How cute!! This made my day!

[@simaabedini843]

Thank you so much , all these information is helping me a lot to learn more about this medium . You are a wonderful artist and I have been following you, and I learned a lot through your teaching . Thank you so much 😊 👏👏🙏🎨👩‍🎨🌏👍💕

[@suefortin6811]

So pretty. Love the pinks and dark pinks

[@javakitty4189]

Thank you, I always learn so much and enjoy your beautiful paintings!

[@wulfseig1864]

Husband said "Wow, you can do that with those chalk things? That's incredible" I totally agree. TFS ❤️❤️❤️

[@KarenMargulis]

😊 thank you! Thanks so much for watching!

[@wulfseig1864]

@@KarenMargulis You are so welcome. First time working in sift pastels. So, thanks for teaching me how this media works.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks everyone for watching! I am glad you enjoyed watching me 'live' in this uncut real-time unscripted demo!

[@shelleybrandon2825]

As an admirer of your pastel work for years, it's wonderful to catch these Sunday Studio Sessions...I learn best by just watching and then I can implement into my own work. Many thanks, your landscapes are always captivating!!

[@misuklegocki6126]

Karen Margulis c

[@misuklegocki6126]

Karen Margulis

[@petergibbs4151]

Karen Margulis

[@MDEBonzes]

Oh, how I LOVED this, Karen! It is so helpful to see the process, and I absolutely love your works! This is so inspiring, as I come from the very tight works of portraits and pets, and I'm trying to learn all I can about the use of color and value and shaping of the pastel works-I'm so in love w/pastels and the vibrant colors I see in nature. Thank you so much, and I thouroughly enjoyed seeing your doggie, too! Marlene from GA.

[@VirginiaVredeveld]

Absolutely lovely. I have so much to learn.

[@daisydog8127]

I so appreciate your generosity in sharing your techniques and skills. I think I will probably watch this many times and learn something every time. Excellent cameraman too!

[@susandobson1588]

Camera tripod....

[@anilgrover1955]

Thanks, Karen, for sharing this great tutorial!! You are an amazing artist.

[@jennb1399]

This is so wonderful! I haven't touched my pastels in years, so this gives me guidance that I needed. Love your work and explanations!

[@doreenlorenzo2501]

I always learn something from your videos.You are so gifted.THANK you.

[@jekaterinanemeth3052]

Super! Bravo! Merci! 🤗🤩💓😊🌲☀️🥳

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you!!

[@olgakozlova8984]

Thank you for your lessons!!!! With many greetings from Sant-Petersburg Russia. 💐

[@SirPrancelot1]

Thank you. I really like your work. This is the first video of yours I've watched but certainly not the last. So good to see a painting done in real time with a commentary about what you are doing and why. So many have music over the top and/or are speeded up. If you'd just been to Disneyworld I guess you live in Florida. I saw on the news here in England that the storm was downgraded from a category 5 to 1 but still major damage and disruption so hope you have not been too badly affected and get back to normal before too long.

[@flooklh]

This is another stunning painting. I love your trees .... Really beautiful. Thanks for sharing your talent. You are an inspiration, I don't need an inspiration jar now that you are here... I'm so glad I found your videos.

[@shashidharkanchan8089]

Just too good. No words but, to say a great master of paintings. ! 👍 👍 👍 👂👂👃👃

[@Coco2345ful]

Thank you so much for that wonderful demo!

[@ankeklapp6183]

Thanks Karen , for a super sunday afternoon . Incredible !!

[@KarenMargulis]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@albebru5610]

Tons and tons of colors. :O Thanks for the video!

[@kaeti3]

This channel is a gem, love your work flow, and thinking process.

[@2gooddrifters]

Just discovered you and looking forward to seeing more from you. I've learned so much watching this. Thank you.

[@pattijacoby8049]

Karen - I just started watching and already learned 2 great tips. Love your inspiration jar! My sister asked me to wait so we can watch this together. So I will have something to look forward to all day! Feel like it's Christmas eve.

[@janwhite4243]

I enjoyed this demo - I also love your spontaneous style and just go with the flow. I am going to try.

[@prayalways-]

it’s unbelievable how beautiful this painting is. so much better than the photo 😮🎉

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you so much 😀

[@marcelacastillo2580]

Maravilloso! Gracias. Appreciate, you are a wonderful teacher.

[@marielleahern2207]

absolutely love your work M.A. From the U.K

[@susanscraftcabin]

HI Karen - thank you for your demonstrations - they are brilliant

[@baiba.sisene]

excellent camera work! 😜 ..you 2 are hilarious!! learning a lot from you. hugs.

[@axelbubenzer6255]

Very nice video.showing a great sense of colour with a very painterly way of using the pastels

[@CCLinGameOnABC]

It was an amazing experience to watch the demonstration from the very beginning to the end. What an educational and enjoyable way to learn. It was also heart-warming to include the cheerful dog, and the aloof but beautiful cat in the video. By the way, at the end of video, you mentioned that you might post the finished piece. It might be helpful if you include the link in the description for easy access.

[@angarratha2189]

This is beautiful. Glad I found your channel.

[@jimlaney8764]

It took me a while to realize those were not people just dropping by your home to say "hello"! I was thinking you must be the most popular woman in Atlanta. Great video, I feel like I learned a couple of things.

[@joannabatherson6783]

Thanks for a lovely pastel landscape 👩🏻‍🎨❤️

[@terrilynnstalvey1416]

I love watching and picking up how to's. Go through older videos pick up the right touch is the light touch, dirt and sky holes. Miss seeing Jenny and Heidi. Thank you for sharing the process it helps newbies become more confident as I slowly add to supplies. Love this painting have probably seen before but I pick up more. 😀👏👏👍👍❤👋

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you Terri! I appreciate your kind words!

[@terrilynnstalvey1416]

@@KarenMargulis you're welcome always 😀❤

[@maldoori238]

Beautiful painting . I really enjoyed watching you and found the tips you gave very helpful. Maysoon from Glasgow Scotland

[@teresabrunson4284]

You are wonderful, I learned so much. Thank you.

[@jimalexander7018]

Good start to finish information in real time, great concept. Looking toward next Sunday's painting.

[@marielleahern2207]

I just love your work -Pachanga

[@margchase3043]

Pastel heaven....so many🌷!

[@deniseshaw3871]

Wonderful Im learning so much..thank you ..I am in awe

[@bentinho]

Inspiration jar is genius!!!

[@CarinaParry]

What a great idea having an inspiration jar.!! I like the idea of using smaller photos, I shall try this. I normally use larger ones but i see your point about using smaller ones makes a lot of sense.

[@beverlyreid8223]

Watching and admiring from New Zealand :) Love your work! :)

[@cosmicnomad9324]

Loved this💓

[@hulyatuncel922]

Beautiful Karen, thank you👏👏❤️🌺

[@barryoconnell3872]

love watching your demo

[@karlschwinbarger105]

100,000 of us came here because we wanted to see you paint this but for me at least choosing to do it live on facebook with the all the Joe Blows interrupting our on-line class was incredibly annoying. But thank you for this video. Seriously. Thank you.

[@skullingtonfly]

Gorgeous

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you!

[@user-li6sy8zb6p]

This is wonderful! Thank you!

[@gypsysnickerdoodle4354]

That studio is so comforting! I was always ashamed that mine didn't seem 'correct' or professional...

[@Taraandmusic]

You're really amazing and helpful, and your dog is adorable. Please keep it up

[@kvr8286]

I found your blog several years ago when searching for inspiration to finish a pastel of my own and instantly fell in love with you technique - I'm so pleased to see that you have some videos up on youtube so that I can see how you work and develop the colors and strokes because it's soooooo different from how I work! :-p I just love your loose, emotive style, sometimes my own feels so rigid... :-/

[@margaretdawson5173]

loveyourwork

[@debbiejohnson2789]

I like this approach

[@AudiobookLibrary24-7]

So good! Thank you.

[@rendabeltzer4959]

Beautiful!

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you!

[@charliegruchy530]

wow in 4 years, you have moved to becoming an amazing online teacher

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you! I appreciate your kind words!

[@sandrabush1232]

Thank you for this inspiring video.

[@lindabrookes1756]

Thanks so much Karen I am learning so much from you, especially when you explain how you choose the colours to use-this is so tricky but when you get the colours together on a tray you can see how the painting can come together.

[@movedon12]

Hi🙋🇬🇧 great picture it looks really interesting and great tones so natural

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching Carole!

[@annfoster1980]

great demo. thankyou

[@nonoyu4088]

Very good instruction.

[@leehaslehurst473]

Thankyou so much for this, I am watching from England and just started using pastels it was really helpful to see your setup process, I have been going wrong by just diving in but will prepare better now. Great painting!

[@wolfenegger78]

Amazing! I am from Hungary.

[@KarenMargulis]

Thank you for watching!

[@vinodfrancis1876]

Nice Demo

[@azong98]

Merry Christmas to you

[@user-yt3fc2ll3w]

Beautiful

[@lindaseguin8271]

Your work is in the flow with nature and they are very beautiful. Thank you. Do you spray fixation after finishing your pastel painting? Though it get darker?? And what type of fixative is ideal?? Much appreciation.

[@myfredandabby123]

Karen, I just love your videos and have learned so many techniques from you. My question is about reference photos as I am a studio painter and don't paint plein air. When you show your reference photos they are often just simple fields of grass with trees in the background or something similar. You turn them into wonderful and pretty paintings. How do I learn that skill of seeing and imagining the things that will make that plain field into a lovely and pretty one? Thank you.

[@simaabedini843]

Thank you Karen 🙏👩‍🎨😊

[@golanch1]

Thank. It is really have teated me.

[@Coco2345ful]

Loveit! Did find all the conversation in the background a bit distracting!

[@pathmasiriranaweera5023]

great

[@LavishHim]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@lillianyih2850]

I love to watch you. So inspiring! What paper do you use?

[@tygerpal]

thank you for your videos ... I love how you build color and texture. You mentioned in this video hot temps and I am wondering how you work with pastels in hot and humid conditions. I live in New England and our summers can be very hot and humid. I'm new to pastel painting and have found that painting in the summer's humid conditions leaves my paintings chalky and clumpy .... Is there a magical method for avoiding this ... type of paper type, choice of pastels, etc .... I look forward to more videos !!!!!!

[@jeantemplemeyer366]

thank you for great videos,can you tell me where you got your portable easel you use outside.,Jean

[@katherinesimonds622]

You have so many color choices, what size set do you recommend for someone just starting out?

[@mrswelch14]

Fantastic video! Thanks so much! Would you mind sharing what type of lighting you use in your studio?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks Lori, I am using fluorescent shop lights with alternating warm and cool bulbs.

[@maldoori238]

I liked your session Karen. Please can you let me know what pastels were you using. Thank you for sharing.

[@simaabedini843]

I am sure you know how overwhelming things could get for new and beginners , would you tell me which green set you had used from Dian Townsend ?

[@KarenMargulis]

It is called 'Mood for Green' I got it at Dakota Pastels online

[@Shipslaw]

Doesn't the 'tooth' of the paper ever get saturated? How does the fixative help halfway through the process? Beautiful work! Vibrant and painterly.

[@ElizabethBattle]

I need an I inspiration jar!!!

[@Felesya]

Hello! Your artwork is beautiful, you must have quite the endurance to learn to draw at this level! Respect! I have a question~ I tried imitating your how to grass drawing with my Jaxell extra soft pastels and I didnt seem to be able to layer colors on top of each other? When I put a light green over a dark brown for example, it just seemed to smudge the brown instead of putting green on top. Is the green too soft? Thanks in advance and looking forward to more videos!

[@carpeductumc]

It's got to be here somewhere, but.....what are your recommended soft and hard pastel brands and sets for beginners? Please?! As a total beginner, I can't afford the Terry Ludwig sets yet....but I really really want to try this with decent quality pastels. Help?! Thank you!!

[@patti4891]

TDo you use a spray on fixative and if so which one? Thanks

[@kathandterry2]

Hi Karen why did you choose the reds to do the underpainting, thank you so much a great help

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching. I used red the complement of green because I knew it would help make the greens more lively and interesting!

[@varsilia]

wow look at all those pastel sticks lol

[@winay007]

Very nice video. Thank you. Question, what pastels do you use? Problem with mine is I can't get white over already applied pastels? How do you get lighter values once you have applied layers of pastels?

[@vincent-of-the-bog]

It's very hard to get lighter values. Mostly, you apply light pastels and don't mix them. But the thing to remember is that you go from light to dark in pastels.

[@patriciaannetripp4844]

Vinay Pratap Singh Thakur -- You can see in Karen's demo that she applies light over dark. It is important to be working on good pastel paper which has'tooth' so it's able to accept a number of layers -- Art Spectrum, Uart or ??. Then, make your first layers with a light touch so as not to 'fill the tooth' to soon. Use either all soft pastels or soft over hard. Example -- nu pastels first then soft over top. Rembrants are medium soft, Sennelier, Shminke, Ludwig and more are very soft. Good luck.

[@patriziaghirardelli5040]

Great

[@GGGG-zy3yn]

Karen, I love your videos. Just curious, do you wash your cloths with your regular laundry...and in your washing machine?

[@KarenMargulis]

Thanks for watching! I wash them only with pastel towels but in the washing machine.