How to Create Expressive Floral Abstractions This Spring

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Spring is a wonderful season of rebirth, and there’s nothing quite like florals to allow our creative spirits to bloom in new ways. I’ve recently discovered this magic myself by moving beyond literal representation to capture the emotional essence of a subject. This resulted in an expressive floral abstraction that speaks to the heart.

Alain Picard, L’Essence de L’Amour, 12x12” pastel on UART 400

Here are a few thoughts on my experience so you can explore your own floral abstractions.

The Power of Personal Expression

When you integrate design principles with color knowledge and your own unique touch, something wonderful happens. Your personal artistic voice begins to flourish, allowing you to interpret floral subjects with fresh emotion and perspective. Let your design ideas lead you in this exploration of the abstract. Then layer the poetry of color upon this foundation. 

Soft pastels can offer an ideal medium for this exploration. Their velvety texture creates both delicate subtleties and bold presence that can transform a floral subject like pink peonies into abstract expressions of beauty.


Finding Your Flow

Successful floral abstraction involves listening and responding to what emerges on your surface. The empowering truth is that you can leave as much of the representational aspect behind as you wish. Some of us will hold onto more recognizable elements of our subject while emphasizing abstract qualities. Others will venture into pure abstraction where only color, form, and emotion remain. Each journey into abstraction can be as unique as you are, so be bold and explore.

Consider these approaches to enhance your expressive work:

  • Seeds of Design: Harness the power of value shapes as the seeds of your abstract design 

  • Dynamic Textures: Allow the gritty, intimate qualities of your materials to become part of your expression

  • The Power of Scale: Larger works often bring new power and dimension to your abstractions

  • Multimedia Exploration: Underpaintings in watercolor or acrylic can add exciting and spontaneous new dimensions to your abstraction


Let Your Creativity Blossom

This spring, I invite you to create an expressive floral abstraction that flows from your unique artistic voice. Let your own personal design elements and color choices take root as your expressive side blossoms with new life. Move from observation into heartfelt expression as you allow how you feel about the subject to take priority over the facts set before you.

Whether your creative voice is just beginning to bud or reaching full bloom, we’re all tending this creative garden together. That is a beautiful sight to behold. 

3 Secrets to Dramatic Portrait Lighting

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Want to learn three ways to use dramatic lighting that will create moody and impactful portraits? Then, let’s get into it!

Samuel 15x10.5” pastel

1. Use A Single Light Source  

Place your light off to the side of the subject and slightly above to give that wonderful catch light in the eyes. Watch how the patterns of light and shadow move across your subject's face as you position your light source.

The single light creates a natural interplay of light and shadow that defines facial features and adds dimension to your portrait. This technique immediately adds drama and mood to even the simplest composition.

The Bride, 23x16” pastel

2. Block Out Excess Light 

Create rich dark shadows and dramatic impact in your portrait by making sure your single light source is dominant and doesn’t compete with other lights. Pull the curtains and draw the blinds—we want this portrait to emerge from the shadows with a moody, spotlit appeal for maximum dramatic impact.

By controlling and minimizing ambient light, you'll achieve those deep, velvety shadows that make dramatic portraits so compelling and emotionally resonant.

Sierra, 15x11” pastel

3. Create Dynamic Contrast

Now that you have a single light source and are keeping it dramatic, it's time to pay attention to the contrast being created between your model's hair, face, and background.

If the model has dark hair, consider a background that is a medium value so you can show off the contour shape of the head. If the skin is warm and golden, consider using cooler colors behind the portrait to contrast and complement the work.

By paying attention to the contrast of value and color, you can create a dramatic portrait that impacts the viewer and leaves a lasting impression.

Want to Learn More? Join Us for Portrait Week!

Ready to discover more exciting portrait techniques like this? Join us for Portrait Week, March 17-21, 2025 and experience 5 days of online portrait lessons! I've packed this experience with impactful techniques that will help you create captivating pastel portraits. You’ll even create your own pastel portrait by the end of the week.

With the right guidance, encouragement, and a spirit of adventure, you'll experience the joy of bringing your own pastel portrait to life. I'll be right there by your side every step of the way. 👏 

Thumbnail Sketches Made Easy

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In this lesson I share my secrets for creating effective thumbnail sketches - the essential first step to stunning portrait paintings. My own Dad will serve as our portrait subject for this sketch!

In this live session, you'll discover:

  • A simple system for breaking down values into light, middle, and dark masses

  • How to see and capture abstract shapes that make your portraits powerful

  • Techniques for creating dynamic, striking compositions that command attention

If learning how to paint expressive, lifelike portraits is something that excites you, then be sure to join the waitlist for The Painterly Portrait Online Course! I would love to support your creative develop so you can make a bigger impact through your art.

3 Keys to Painting Aging Faces with Dignity

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There is a profound nobility in the weathered faces of our elders, each line and contour telling stories of decades fully lived. Their expressions carry the weight of experience, the quiet confidence of wisdom gained, and the subtle dignity that comes with advancing years. As artists we have a unique opportunity to capture these qualities through the sensitivity of our medium, creating portraits that honor both the strength and vulnerability present in our seasoned subjects.

I’d love to walk you through three essential keys to capturing their character with authenticity along the way.

Alain Picard, The Fisherman, 18x12” pastel 

1. Master Your Initial Observation

Begin your portrait journey through careful observation and sketching. Document the essential architecture of aging: how surface skin patterns relate to the bone structure beneath, where characteristic wrinkles appear, and how proportions shift with time. Pay particular attention to thinning lips, enlarged noses, and developed ear lobes. Study the depth of eye sockets and how hair patterns change, including areas of thinning and graying. With careful observation you become a student of aging faces.

 
 

2. Build Form Through Light and Shadow

A solid structure is more important than surface details. Start with charcoal or hard pastels, applying thin, controlled initial layers following the fat-over-lean principle. Rather than drawing individual wrinkles, concentrate on how light interacts with the form and surface of the head. Establish your major light and shadow areas first, considering positive and negative shapes. Use the technique of squinting to see broader value patterns clearly. Once confident in your foundational layers, transition to soft pastels, using light, side-stroke applications to build your forms progressively. Let the play of light tell the major story of your subject's features.

3. Suggest Rather Than State

Exercise restraint in depicting age lines – less really is more! Kindness matters at this stage. Use side strokes for broader areas and let your application method create natural texture with soft pastel. Build depth gradually through varying pressure, allowing underlying tones to show through. Pay special attention to areas where blood at the surface of the skin may influence color like around the eyes and use cooler tones in more recessed areas like the jaw or in the hair. If your character is rugged like the weathered fisherman, then hatching with choppy marks is a great way to suggest this quality. Every mark should serve to suggest rather than explicitly state the effects of time.


Remember: Your goal is capturing the essence of the individual, not cataloging their age. Each mark contributes to telling your subject's story with dignity and grace.

Enjoy this rewarding creative experience as you celebrate the aging faces in your life!

Alain

The Secret to Sparkling Pastel Ornaments Revealed

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I'm sharing my painterly technique for creating ethereal, shimmering Christmas ornaments in pastel! Join me for a special painting session where I'll reveal my secrets for capturing that ephemeral holiday sparkle.✨

You know those moments when light catches a delicate ornament just right? In this lesson, we'll learn how to capture that magic with pigment. I'll guide you through each step of creating luminous holiday ornaments in soft pastel that seem to glow from within.

What I'm revealing today:

  • The painterly technique behind that shimmering glow

  • My layering secrets for achieving dreamy, pastel effects

  • The surprisingly simple method for adding mesmerizing highlights

Whether you're a seasoned artist or just beginning your creative journey, these techniques will add a beautiful new dimension to your holiday paintings.


It's the season of wonder, and I want to celebrate with you! So let's create some holiday magic together!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas, with abundant creativity and joy in the coming year.🌟

Alain Picard

Your Creative Journey Matters

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Let’s talk about artistic passion

Your desire to create isn't just a passing impulse—it's a calling that lives deep within you. When you honor this creative fire, you're not only nurturing your own fulfillment, you're adding more beauty and wonder to our world. Every stroke of the brush, every mark you make, line you draw, every piece you create ripples outward, touching lives in ways you might never see.

This journey you're on? It matters. Not just to you, but to all of us.

Down the Stretch, 12x16" pastel by Alain Picard

The Challenge We All Face

Yet for every calling to create, there's a force that rises up to oppose it. We call this force Resistance. It shows up as procrastination ("I'll start tomorrow"), self-doubt ("I'm not good enough"), or fear ("What if I fail?"). The good news? You're not alone in this struggle, and recognizing these symptoms is the first step to overcoming them.


Your Creative Calling is Valid

Here's a truth worth embracing: You don't need to be a professional artist to have a valid creative calling. Whether you dream of hanging your work in galleries or simply want to express yourself through art, your creative journey has profound value. The world needs the unique creative gifts that only you can offer.

 

Breaking Through Resistance: YOUR ACTION PLAN

 

1️⃣ Start Today Don't wait for the perfect moment—it will never arrive. Tomorrow is too late. Set aside even 15 minutes today to create. 

 

2️⃣ Embrace Imperfection Let go of the need for perfection on the way to your creative dreams. Remember that every great master had to start as a beginner, and every piece you create is a step forward. Valuing progress over perfection will lead you toward your goals.

 

3️⃣ Seek Supportive Feedback Connect with fellow artists or mentors who can provide you with constructive guidance. The right feedback can illuminate your path forward and bring vital encouragement along the way.

 

4️⃣ Take the Next Small Step What's one small action you can take right now toward your artistic goals? Maybe it's organizing your workspace, sketching for 10 minutes, or signing up for that workshop you've been considering. Never underestimate the power of small steps in the right direction. 

 

The Power to Choose Is Yours

Every time you choose to create despite resistance, you're not only making art—you're bringing more beauty into the world. Your creative journey isn't just about the art you produce; it's about becoming the artist you are meant to be and enriching the lives of others through your unique expression.✨

Encountering beauty brings hope. That’s the impact your art makes. The power to start is always in your hands. Why not begin right now?

 

Keep showing up at the easel for your creative dreams!

Colors of Fall: Three Strategies for Painterly Landscapes

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Living in New England, one thing never fails to take my breath away—the vibrant colors of fall. The changing leaves here rank among the most stunning sights in nature. I want to share the beauty of autumn with you and explore how we can bring this seasonal magic to life through our art.

Painting Fall Foliage: A Perfect Opportunity

Autumn landscapes present a golden opportunity to hone your painterly techniques. The season’s bold, rich colors demand expressive brushwork, making it a perfect time to stretch your creativity and learn new approaches. Let’s walk through three key strategies that will guide you through painting the essence of fall using pastels.

Thumbnail Sketch, Tombow Brush Pens, White Paint Pen

1. Design with Value

Before diving into the vibrant hues of fall, it’s crucial to first establish a strong foundation with value sketches. Simplifying your scene into light and dark shapes helps create a well-designed composition. By squinting at your reference, you can filter out the details and focus on the large value masses. This method allows you to see the pattern of light, middle, and dark tones that form your scene.

When painting light, you’re painting form. But with shadows, you’re capturing the atmosphere. Keep your shadows flat and simple, avoiding excessive detail. Simplifying the scene in this way lets you see your subject in a more painterly manner, setting the stage for a dynamic composition. 

100-Stroke Color Study on LaCarte Card

2. Suggest with Marks

Now that you’ve laid out your composition, it’s time to take bold steps with your mark-making! One of the best exercises to develop your confidence in this area is the 100-Stroke Challenge. The goal is to make each stroke deliberate, as you’re limited to only 100. This encourages you to squint down your scene and make each mark count.

Some helpful tips:

  • Use side strokes to cover more ground.

  • Step back often to view the big picture.

  • Be decisive with your marks—once you make them, don’t touch them again.

Blaze of Glory, Alain Picard, 10.5x16” Pastel on UART400 Board

3. Create the Impression

With your underpainting in place, carry on to the final painting, bringing your fall colors to life with just enough detail to suggest the scene’s magic. Remember, you’re creating an impression, not a photograph.

Here’s a helpful mantra I like to use: “Be an impressionist, not a journalist.” Journalism is all about describing granular details to tell the story. Impressionism is about capturing the big effect to create a feeling of the moment. This mantra will remind you to focus on the big effect, stepping back often to ensure you maintain the freshness and simplicity that impressionism requires.

In the final steps of a painting, build up the lights with thicker pigment, while keeping the shadows airy and flat. By simplifying your details and focusing on form in the lights, you’ll capture the essence of autumn.

 

Fall’s glorious colors offer endless inspiration for painterly landscapes. By focusing on value, bold marks, and a painterly impression, you’ll capture the beauty of autumn with a fresh, artistic approach.

Keep showing up at the easel for your creative dreams!

Alain Picard

Pastel Clouds Made Easy

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Alain Picard, Clouds, 9x12” pastel

 

Ready to master the art of painting billowing clouds in pastel? Dive into this video lesson, where you’ll learn techniques to bring your clouds to life with depth, texture, and color.

You’ll explore themes like:

  • Building Depth: Layering colors and sculpting masses with positive and negative shapes.

  • Edge Control: Balancing hard, soft, and lost edges for vaporous effects.

  • Color Harmony: Connecting colors between water and sky, using neutrals and chromatics.

  • Light & Shadow: Creating atmospheric transitions, adding warmth, and reflecting sky in water.

  • Mark-Making and Blending Techniques: Softening edges for vertical reflections and adding impasto effects.

This video lesson has been newly edited and re-released so you can create your own stunning clouds that sparkle with life and color. It's packed with techniques and insights to elevate your pastel landscapes! 🏆

Ignite your Creativity: Action Steps for Artists

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Every artist's journey begins with a dream.

There is an aspiring artist living inside all of us, no matter what stage we may find ourselves in.  

At some point, the desire to create beautiful works of art began to stir in you. 

Can you remember the first time the dream of becoming an artist took hold? 

Think about it now. It may have been decades ago…or just recently, but this dream is a seed worth germinating.

The journey to bring your creative dreams to life can be daunting. Distractions conspire to keep us from our creative pursuit. Without a plan, everything else takes precedence over our art. 

Important things, like caring for loved ones and raising a family. 

Challenging things, like providing financially or enduring through illness.

However noble or important these priorities may be, they can’t change the fact that you were made to create. 

You are an artist. Let that sink in.

This is who you are. When you engage your creativity, others benefit richly from the inspiration you share. Pushing your creative gifts to the back burner not only hurts you. It deprives the world of the unique expression of beauty that only you have to give. 

Alain Picard, Fresh From The Market, pastel 10x10

I really felt you needed to hear this today. Is it time for a fresh start? 

Are you overwhelmed by the journey ahead? I understand. 

American author, Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks and starting on the first one.” 

When embarking on a fresh creative journey, you can expect to feel overwhelmed. Our frustrated inner artist critic shows up in all shapes and sizes to discourage your growth (I call mine Mr. Perfect).

Fear is a common denominator that we all face, myself included. It's how you respond to the fear that defines you. You can be resourceful, and activate a plan to overcome intimidation and make consistent progress. You are only one step away from moving forward on your journey! 

Use these three P’s to activate your mission:

PURPOSE -  Gain clarity about your personal motivation for showing up as an artist. What is your  big “why”? This is the dream inside of you that motivates you to create. Write it down in a special journal. This will give you much needed clarity and resilience for your journey ahead. Then read it every day. When your purpose is anchored, you become an artist on a mission. 

PREPARE -  Now it’s time to prepare your creative space and gather the materials you need to get to work. This could be a corner in your living room or a plein air easel packed and ready in the car. Maybe it’s finally time to convert that extra bedroom into a studio. Prepare your creative space. This is not frivolous. An artist needs a base of operations to flourish.

PLAN - Now get out your calendar. Be realistic about your creative goals and give them priority in your schedule. Carve out a regular weekly time to practice your creativity. This will serve you well in the days ahead. Plan your creative schedule intentionally to ensure that you are ready to show up regularly and do the work. Share your calendar with loved ones who will help you protect this time from other demands. 

With a clear purpose, a prepared space, and a schedule to practice your art, you are activating a plan to turn your dreams into reality. You have no idea the impact this will have on your personal well-being and creative fulfillment, not to mention the world around you. 

Your art matters, friend. This world truly needs the unique expression of beauty that you have to offer. Don’t put it off another day.

Do one thing today to turn your creative dreams into reality. 

Be inspired,

Alain Picard 

Are looking for fresh inspiration? Try my Expressive Mark-Making mini course to get you in motion!



Three Key Elements to Becoming an Award-Winning Artist

Many aspiring artists dream of being recognized for their talent and achieving success in their artistic endeavors. Winning awards and exhibiting artwork can provide validation and affirmation of an artist's growth and skill. In this article, we will explore essential elements that artists should focus on to increase their chances of becoming award-winning artists

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What Makes Great Art?

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In the world of art, there's a big question that artists and art lovers ask: What makes some art truly great? I was recently asked this question by one of my students. It's an important question, because it goes beyond just looks and digs into what makes art truly special. Whether we are evaluating our own art or visiting a gallery or museum, answering this question requires us to consider some important factors.

Joaquin Sorolla, Summer, oil 1904

Let's break it down together and figure out what makes great art stand apart. I like to evaluate a piece of art by filtering it through four key areas.

Mastery of the Foundations

First off, let's talk about the foundations. Great art usually starts with a solid understanding of the building blocks of art—things like getting proportions right, dealing with light and shadow, and using colors effectively. When artists nail down these basics through consistent practice, their art shines brighter.

Another key foundation is design. This one is so important, it could have its own category. Design is so much more than putting things together; it's about arranging shapes, values and compositional lines in a way that directs your eye, balances visually, and grabs your attention. Strong design causes you to experience the work in a more meaningful and specific way, according to the artist’s intention. Think of it like creating a rhythm or flow that pulls you into the work and keeps you engaged with a unique point of view.

 

Handling of the Medium

Another important theme to consider is the artist’s handling of the medium. From paint application to edge manipulation, surface textures to the way an artist makes her mark, this is so important. Consider Sargent’s bravura brushstroke oils, the expressive mark-making of Edgar Degas in pastel, or Andrew Wyeth’s transparent watercolors. A masterful artist will handle the medium with excellence, insight, and familiarity.

John Singer Sargent, Cashmere, 1908

The Artist's Vision

Next up is an artist’s vision. This is where things get personal. Great art isn't just about copying what's in front of you; it's about revealing the world through your own eyes. Artists who can tell a story or make you feel something special with their art—they're the ones who create something truly memorable. They’ve got a fresh point of view that helps you encounter the world in a new way.

The Art’s Resonance

Here's the thing: great art isn't just about what the artist wants to say—it's also about how it makes you feel. Great art sticks with you, even after you've walked away, resonating with a lingering power. It's a kind of magic—it touches something deep inside you and leaves a mark that you can't shake off. Art like this lives on through the generations with energy and potency. This happens when an artist finds the intersection between their curiosity, skill, and the unique story of the work.

Progress Over Perfection

Want to know a secret? Even the greatest artists don't hit the mark every time. They make mistakes, try new things, and sometimes it just doesn't work out. That's okay! Because art is all about learning and growing. Even those "failures" can lead to amazing discoveries. Let this encourage you forward to continue to practice and grow.

 

So, what makes great art? It's not just about mastering the foundations or following all the rules—it's about telling your story in a way that makes people stop and listen. It's about creating something that touches hearts and minds, leaving a lasting impression long after the paint has dried. And most importantly, it's about embracing the journey of creativity, knowing that every stroke brings you one step closer to the greatness that is inside of you.

Pastels vs. Oil and Acrylics Paints: Mastering Hair Drawing

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In the world of art, one of the most captivating and challenging subjects to master is drawing realistic and expressive hair. Whether it's the cascading tresses of a portrait subject or the windswept locks of a landscape figure, achieving lifelike hair can be a true test of an artist's skill. While various mediums offer their unique strengths, Pastel Pigments or Sticks stand out as the ultimate choice for capturing the intricate beauty and emotion of hair when compared to Oil and Acrylics.

The Pastel Advantage:

comparing pastel pigments and oil and acrylic paint when painting hair in a portrait with Alain Picard

Pastel Pigments (you might call them paints) are revered among artists for their unrivaled ability to bring hair to life on paper or canvas. Let's explore how pastels stack up against other mediums like Oil and Acrylics when it comes to drawing realistic and expressive hair:

1. Velvet-Like Texture:

Pastels offer a luxurious, velvet-like texture that closely mimics the softness and complexity of human hair. This unique quality allows artists to create intricate details, subtle transitions, and a range of textures that are challenging to achieve with other mediums. In contrast, Oil and Acrylics can sometimes result in a smoother, less textured appearance, making it challenging to achieve intricate hair details.

2. Rich Color Variations:

Hair isn't just one color;  it is a complex interplay of hues and tones. Pastels provide an extensive palette of rich, vibrant colors that can be easily layered and blended [link to a post that mentions blending] to capture the depth and complexity of hair. Whether it's the warm highlights of auburn locks or the cool shadows of silver strands, pastels allow artists to achieve astonishing realism. Oil and Acrylics may require more effort to achieve the same level of color variety.

3. Expressive Mark-Making:

We often talk about the importance of mark-making this is where Pastels far exceed other mediums enabling artists to make expressive marks that mirror the natural flow and movement of hair. Whether you're working on flowing waves, tousled curls, or sleek straight locks, pastels excel in conveying the dynamic nature of hair with each stroke. Oil and Acrylics, while versatile in their own right, can sometimes result in less dynamic and detailed mark-making when it comes to intricate hair details because they must be applied with a brush and can't create the same level of direct and intimate connection with your marks that sticks of pastel held in the hand can convey.

4. Layering and Blending:

Another key advantage of pastels is their exceptional layering and blending capabilities. Artists can gradually build up layers of color, allowing for a seamless transition from shadows to highlights. This flexibility is essential for capturing the multidimensional aspects of hair. Oil and Acrylics require careful layering techniques to achieve similar results, making pastels a more forgiving choice for capturing the multi-dimensional aspects of hair and enabling even beginner and emerging artists to achieve advanced painter results. 

5. Instantaneous Feedback:

Pastels provide artists with immediate feedback, allowing them to see colors and textures develop in real-time. Oil and Acrylics may require longer drying times and changing values when dry, making it challenging to make on-the-fly adjustments, a crucial aspect when rendering the intricacies of hair.

6. Versatility Across Surfaces:

Pastel pigments can be used on various surfaces, adapting to the artist's preference. In comparison, Oil and Acrylics often require specific surfaces or priming, limiting the artist's choice.

In the world of art, the choice of medium plays a pivotal role in bringing your creative vision to life. When it comes to drawing realistic and expressive hair, pastels emerge as the ultimate choice, offering a tactile advantage over Oil and Acrylics. Their texture, color versatility, mark-making capabilities, and responsiveness make them the preferred medium for artists seeking to capture the intricate beauty of hair. Join us on a journey of pastel mastery and discover why it's the unrivaled choice for lifelike hair drawing.

example of drawing hair with pastels

Glimmer 12x18” soft pastel

Join Us in Exploring Portrait Painting Mastery:

If you're passionate about honing your skills in drawing realistic and expressive hair with pastels, we invite you to join our Painterly Portrait Course. In this comprehensive course, we delve deeply into the art of capturing various hair and skin tones with pastels, providing you with a unique advantage over other mediums.

While Oil and Acrylics certainly have their merits, pastels shine when it comes to the intricate art of drawing hair. Join us on a journey of pastel mastery and unlock the secrets to creating hair that truly comes to life on your canvas (or paper which is what we use with pastels, surpassing the capabilities of other mediums.