I’ve found the best advice is to keep it simple. I am lucky enough to live in Dorset which is full of inspirational views. There are so many views and places that it can often be overwhelming.  You may ask yourself, what will make a beautiful view or subject? Most recently, I’ve tried to simplify my process, so that I avoid wasting time. If I am out for a walk and the light is just right, I challenge myself to take a few notes, make a quick sketch and capture more information using my camera phone. Later, I use this as the inspiration for a colour study. It might work or it might not but ..read more

I am excited to announce that my online workshops will be running from the 23rd January 2024. They are online and recorded to allow people to catch up at a time and pace that suits them. We’ll be covering my most requested topics, plus covering tips for finding inspiration local to home. My workshops are within a friendly online community of like minded creatives. The benefits of signing up to a series is that you’ll develop familiarity with the techniques and the community. My students say that they have discovered and made new connections through the online art classes. Some of them even mee ..read more

I’d like to share a little from my world of pastel online art workshops. From my corner of Dorset, I work with artists from all over the world but it feels like a friendly group who all know each other. Recently, students from far and wide joined me, exploring the beauty of a Marina Sunset. I’d love to share some feedback with you, to let you eavesdrop on their experiences and see how pastels can transform a regular day into a memorable, creative and restorative adventure. **1. Unleashing Creativity with Loose Markings:** One participant excitedly shared, *”I really enjoyed this workshop. Than ..read more

I believe that art is not just about creating beautiful images; it’s a journey of self-discovery and expression. Whether you’re a beginner eager to pick up your first pastel or an experienced artist looking to refine your skills, you’re in the right place. We’ll explore soft pastel painting whilst tackling an Italian street scene. Why Soft Pastels? Soft pastels offer a unique and tactile experience, allowing you to blend, layer, and create stunning effects effortlessly. Their vibrant colors and velvety texture make them a favorite among artists. And guess what? You don’t need to be a professio ..read more

Sunflowers soft pastel workshop Sunflowers are a joy to find. This view will enhance your skills in perspective and keeping colours clean. We’ll cover tips for simplifying complex views and looking for your feature flowers. Plus, it’s all recorded so you can repeat and work at you own time and pace. Learning in good company We enjoy the process … March 6, 2023 Harlyn Bay soft pastel workshop Cornish rocks and seaspray on a sparkling emerald sea. Rocks are a challenge but I am sharing my best tips for creating craggy surfaces that look wet with sea spray. That emerald sea show some of the ..read more

My soft pastel workshops are about developing skills, gaining confidence but also about engaging with your environment. Recognising the extraordinary in your everyday wanders gives people a chance to share that escape with others via their artworks. Have you found that art has given you both a new skill but also an ability to switch off? I came across this video describing the Flow state. I think artists have long known the benefit to creating but I haven’t, until now, heard it given a name. I’m always trying to find new ways of helping my students find time in their busy lives. I know t ..read more

Sunflowers soft pastel workshop Sunflowers are a joy to find. This view will enhance your skills in perspective and keeping colours clean. We’ll cover tips for simplifying complex views and looking for your feature flowers. Plus, it’s all recorded so you can repeat and work at you own time and pace. Learning in good company We enjoy the process … March 6, 2023 Harlyn Bay soft pastel workshop Cornish rocks and seaspray on a sparkling emerald sea. Rocks are a challenge but I am sharing my best tips for creating craggy surfaces that look wet with sea spray. That emerald sea show some of the ..read more

My soft pastel workshops are about developing skills, gaining confidence but also about engaging with your environment. Recognising the extraordinary in your everyday wanders gives people a chance to share that escape with others via their artworks. Have you found that art has given you both a new skill but also an ability to switch off? I came across this video describing the Flow state. I think artists have long known the benefit to creating but I haven’t, until now, heard it given a name. I’m always trying to find new ways of helping my students find time in their busy lives. I know t ..read more

I am very excited to announce my new Spring Series. You can read more about the series and the subjects that we will be covering here. I’ve included some of my recent reviews, I hope you’ll enjoy them as much as I have. Thanks for all your enthusiastic support of my online ventures. Really enjoyed this workshop. Challenging but Nina’s explanation of techniques and tips are so helpful. Very applicable to lots of other work. Cathy, 2022 Excellent! Nina is a very thoughtful and perceptive artist with the skill to teach clearly and effectively. Her workshops are so much fun. I prefer to watch th ..read more

Nina Squire – Soft pastel workshops. Here’s one of my favourite walks, the River Stour, it’s been the inspiration for several of my online soft pastel workshops using Unison Colour. The scenes below capture my favourite elements of rivers and moving water, there’s dappled light, tumbling hedgerows and sparkling pebbles that catch the light. There are several techniques that I share in the workshops that are transferable across several subjects. People are often inspired by subjects but the skills are often the same, just applied to different shapes and forms. You’ll find your individuality com ..read more