Explore: COLOUR! Workshop

Saturday 2 September 2023

Using Neocolor II water-soluble wax pastels

Would you like to use more colour in your sketches, but find it difficult or scary? Do you look at your box of colours and just don't know where to start? Water-soluble wax pastels is the perfect medium to help you cross that threshold.


In this workshop we will be looking at different ways to use Neocolor II water-soluble wax pastels. Through a series of exercises and guided experimentation, we will explore colour and how to choose colours for your sketch; line, texture and mark making; tonal values and contrast. The aim is to add more colour possibilities to your visual language and stretch your colour limits.


This is an Urban Sketching workshop, so we will be sketching on location outside. You are welcome to bring a small foldable stool or something else to sit on for in case that the grass is wet.

Who is this workshop for?

All levels of sketchers who want to explore colour and add more colour options to their sketching vocabulary. Those who want to explore different ways of using Neocolor II water-soluble wax pastels.

Important information

  • Date: Saturday 2 September 2023 (back-up date 9 September 2023)
  • Time: 10h00 to 13h00
  • Location: De Bolwerken Park, Haarlem, the Netherlands (5 minutes walk from Haarlem Station)
  • Good to know: Should we have bad weather, the workshop will be postponed with ONE week. (Thus the backup date.)
  • Language: Dutch and/or English, depending on the participants
  • Group size: 4 to 12 participants
  • Price: €60,- p.p. (Includes an inspiring 2,5 hour workshop with many fun exercises, a small snack and something to drink during the break, a handout with tips to take home and the mandatory vat.)

Art materials that you need to bring along

  • 10 to 20 Neocolor II watersoluble wax pastels. (See this video for tips on selecting a set of Neocolors)
  • A5, A4 or A3 sketchbook and/or paper. Paper should be smooth or with fine grain and at least 140gsm. (See this video for tips on choosing paper.)
  • A few sheets of copy paper
  • Size 8, 10 or 12 paintbrush
  • Water and water holder
  • A piece of kitchen towel or tissue
  • Optional: waterbrush
  • I will bring a handful of my own neocolors for you to use, should you want to try out some colours that you do not have in your collection.