PASTEL EXPLORATIONS WEEKENDER
Friday 4th - Monday 7th September 2026
Join award winning pastel artist, Fiona Carvell for a long weekend of creativity on the beautiful Northumberland coast. Suitable for all levels of experience, with detailed pastel and sketching demonstrations plus 1-1 guidance, Fiona will take you through composition, sketching and working outdoors, making a colour selection, mark making and interpretation.
Pastel is a wonderfully adaptive, versatile medium, perfect for working plein air.
Self catering accommodation can be booked at Springhill Farm when booking the workshop.
There is a wide variety of lodges and cottages to choose from as well as an area for camper vans and caravans.
The workshop for 8 participants will be based at The Lookout at Springhill Farm.
What’s included:
Pastel papers, charcoal, pastel pencils and soft pastels.
Use of desktop easels, drawing boards, paint brushes and framing tape.
Refreshments at The Lookout
You will need to bring:
Your usual sketchbook (A4 size recommended)
A lightweight field easel if you have one (optional)
Packed lunch for Saturday and Sunday (kitchen facilities are available to use at The Lookout)
You are welcome to bring your own materials if you wish or order your own ‘Fiona Carvell 30 Half Stick Set’ of Unison Colour pastels. Handmade in Northumberland, featuring a practical and versatile range of shades, perfect for working plein air.
Please contact Fiona for more details and to order fionacarvellart@outlook.com
Workshop Times
FRIDAY 4th September 2-6pm
SATURDAY 5th September 10am - 4pm
SUNDAY 6th September 10am - 4pm
MONDAY 7th September 10am - 12pm
Cost £495 per person BOOK NOW
Further information and a detailed outline of the weekend will be available upon booking from Fiona.
Please email
fionacarvellart@outlook.com
ARTIST STATEMENT
‘Pastel is my medium of choice because of it’s flexibility of application, which enables a process that lies somewhere between drawing and painting. I relish the physical, direct connection between myself and the pigment, the process of discovery and endless possibilities that creating brings. I strive to challenge myself in developing interpretive work which is responsive and emotive and so approach different subjects in ways I feel that are suitable to the nuances of an idea; some works are very meticulous in execution, others come to life more spontaneously. All have common threads of mark making, life and colour.
I will tackle any subject matter that I find engaging and so my subjects range from still life to seascapes and landscapes. I spend a lot of time sketching along the Northumbrian coast. My experience of connecting with the elements is expressed through mark making and drawing, which is something that I am really excited to share. There is so much inspiration and endless challenges in capturing this beautiful landscape! ‘
Fiona Carvell
BIOGRAPHY
Fiona is a member of The Pastel Society (PS), Pastel Society of America (PSA) and the Society of Graphic Fine Art (SGFA).
Fiona exhibits her work regularly both nationally and internationally. Recent exhibitions have included The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition in London, The Pastel Society UK, Royal Society of Marine Artists and SGFA all at The Mall Galleries London, the PSA in 2021 and 2024 in New York, as well as solo shows in Northumberland, UK.
She has won several awards with the Pastel Society UK and with The Pastel Society of America in 2021.
Fiona lives in Shotley Bridge, on the border of County Durham and Northumberland.
To find out more about Fiona’s work head to www.fionacarvell.com