Loose and Luminous: Soft Pastel Beyond the Photo
Discover how structure + spontaneous mark-making combine for expressive realism.
Dates: July 14-17, 2026 (4 days)
All Levels
We are truly fortunate to have Mike Mahon at Cloudcroft Art Workshops for the 2026 season. His teaching process always receives great student reviews and he’s even got a few new wrinkles for this upcoming class (like the Early-Bird Registration Bonus and Video Instruction – see below).
Mike has been a professional artist for over 50 years and has been teaching painting workshops for the last 25 years. Pastel is his favorite medium, especially for landscapes. He has won numerous awards for his work including many best-of-shows and has taught and exhibited in various museums and art organizations from Florida to California. His work is recognized for its strong sense of design and dynamic and painterly use of color and value. He is the inventor of the unique pastel handling system, Mike Mahon’s Pastel Porter™.
Samples of his work and student testimonials can be viewed on his website at http://www.mmahon.com. Painting demonstrations in pastel and oil can be viewed on his Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/MikeMahonFineArtist1.
Early-Bird Registration Bonus!
Students that sign up by May 1, 2026, will receive a free copy of Mike’s recently published book “Art Principles: Control Your Painting Process & Conquer Your Fear of Failure.” This 117-page book details the seven fundamental principles of painting and his painting process. It also includes his journey as an artist. This is a $25 value available on Amazon Books.
For a complete description of the book go to this link: https://tinyurl.com/m7x53dee
Follow this link to download a 20-page sample of the book: 20 Page Sample
Teaching Approach
Mike’s students have had great success using “paint-alongs” to learn his pastel process. The more controlled step-by-step procedure of a paint-along is very encouraging to those who want to master the seemingly contradictory qualities of control and spontaneity. You will also learn how to think in aesthetic categories which form the foundation of all forms of art.
A Systematic Painting Process
You will be introduced to Mike’s © Aesthetic Categories, a 7-step systematic approach to painting based on classical principles of art which are logical, learnable, and memorable. Also known as the Divine SETUP, this process will free you to be more spontaneous while still in control of your painting. You will learn the necessary steps and the order in which they must be used to accomplish a good painting. You will also learn to edit your work, focusing only on the essential elements, to achieve the most successful painting.
Video Instruction & Review
Mike’s demonstration paintings and paint-alongs will be videoed and made available to workshop participants. These videos will be your way of reliving and reviewing the learning experience you receive at this workshop for years to come.
Workshop Schedule
First Day
Mike will begin with a thorough introductory presentation explaining the painting principles and procedures necessary for successful painting. After a question-and-answer session, Mike will do a painting demo from start to finish. After the demo, Mike will help students set up their painting equipment and prepare for a paint-along which will begin by the end of the first day or the beginning of the second day.
Second Day
Mike will lead a paint–along session in which he will supply a landscape picture to each student to paint that is identical to the one he is using. Mike will demonstrate his step-by-step painting process, stopping at each step to allow students to reproduce what they have just seen him paint. He will answer questions and work with individual student during their painting time. Students have found this to be the fastest and most effective way to build confidence while learning his painting method.
Third Day
Mike will briefly review the material he has taught and introduce specific instructions on measuring techniques, scene selection, and value studies. Students will begin work on scenes from their own photo references. Mike will work with each artist to determine how to choose the best photo reference and how to crop it.
Fourth Day
Everyone will continue working on paintings from their own source material and/or begin as second painting from their source photos. Near the end of the day, there will be a comprehensive class critique of all the work produced during the workshop. Many artists consider this review to be one of the most useful sessions of the workshop experience.
Your success is Mike’s goal!
“Success is where preparation meets opportunity.”
Pastel painting is a pleasurable experience. However, it has unique challenges that can be overcome by proper preparation!
Mike’s Signature Memberships: As a signature member of the Pastel Society of America (PSA), Pastel Society of New Mexico (PSNM)and the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico), Mike is the perfect instructor to advance your painting skills in producing landscape paintings.
If you do not have an easel, CAW has several available for use in this class.
07/14/2026 – 07/17/2026