Capture the Beauty of the Autumn Season by the Water

with Soft Pastels

September 2025 Zoom Class:

Autumn landscape seems even more magical when it's glowing colors of the trees are reflected in the water.


In this class you will learn how to:

  • paint beautiful Autumn trees with volume and crisp glowing details.
  • create depth in the scene, with atmospheric perspective.
  • make sure that the reflections don't compete with the trees.
  • paint convincing surface of the water.

And of course, our main focus is on how Light affects Color, in this case, the colors of the Autumn season.


The class will meet on Zoom every Thursday in September (4 meetings).

*If you cannot make the Zoom meetings you can watch the recordings later.

September 4, 11, 18, 25 2025;

2-4pm EST (NY).

The Zoom meetings will include: presentations and/or short demos (or videos), discussions of the common problems with the homework projects. The class includes 2 full demos as pre-recorded videos (students will watch the full demo videos during the week and then do the their homework projects). I will provide a recorded critique for each student individually.

Students can use provided demo references or use their own photos for their homework projects.

Register for Autumn Reflections

Materials

UART sanded paper, 400 grit, neutral color, 9"x12"

Pastel Premier sanded paper, Clay color, 9”x12” (or you can tone UART paper into warm tan mid tone color)

Mid tone gray sketching paper (for quick value studies)

Hard and Soft pastels (good range of basic colors from light to dark, particularly in greens, blues, etc.)

Isopropyl Alcohol (you can use water instead)

Flat synthetic brush about 3/4"

Bristle brush for corrections

Artists' Masking Tape to attach the paper to the board

Foam core board

Glassine or Tracing paper to protect the finished project

Meet Lana

Hi! I'm Lana Ballot.

I'm excited to share with you my passion for the Color and the beautiful medium of pastels!

I am a professional artist and pastel painting instructor, living on Long Island, NY. I have been teaching classes and workshops throughout the United States and internationally.

I have been exhibiting and won awards in National as well as International Juried competitions, including the Pastel Society of America’s annual show Enduring Brilliance and the prestigious Pastel Journal’s Pastel 100 competition.

My work has been published in national and international art magazines, such as Plein Air Magazine, Pastel Issues of the Pratique des Arts, Artists & Illustrators.

I'm a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and The American Society of Marine Artists.


Testimonials

What my students are saying about this course and my classes and workshops:

"I’ve signed up for this course, and I’m absolutely blown away by the professionalism, quality, tons of useful information, and priceless tips that Lana is delivering at each session. She is a great educator!

Highly recommended to everybody who wants to improve his painting skills!"

Mena L.

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"In a word, the workshop was “masterful.” But, I will go beyond just one word to express my deepest appreciation of your dedication to your craft. Whether the way you taught, emailed preparatory materials, painted, or critiqued, you exemplified the traits of a master. Thank you.

I learned a lot and plan to take future workshops with you."

Lisa D.

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"I have always admired your work, so I was thrilled to be able to take this class from you. Being a teacher, I can spot a good teacher a mile away, and you have what it takes to do that...you know how to break down the steps needed to get the lesson across to students and help them paint a successful painting. Thank you so much for offering this workshop!

Thank you again!"

Carole P.