{"id":37650,"date":"2021-11-07T10:54:24","date_gmt":"2021-11-07T10:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/?page_id=37650"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:42:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:42:06","slug":"birch-trees-with-pastels","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/birch-trees-with-pastels","title":{"rendered":"Birch Trees with Pastels"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"coursetitlecontainer\">\n<div class=\"coursetitle\">\n<h1>Birch Tree Landscape with Pastels<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"coursetitledes\"><span>CLASS<\/span><i class=\"far fa-chart-bar\" style=\"margin-left:10px; margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Intermediate<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"insertbackground\">\n<div class=\"removep\">\n<div class=\"videoflexwrapper\">\n<div class=\"videotop\">\n  <iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/player.vimeo.com\/video\/662046265?h=b802c4da83\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebartop\">\n<div class=\"vertalign\">\n<div class=\"logoimage\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/logosmall75.png\"><\/div>\n<p>\n    <div class=\"sidebarcarddescriptiondark\">\n<span>JOIN THE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTOR<\/span><br>\n    Get ALL of our courses, ebooks, live lessons, critiques, lesson plans and more today.\n<\/div>\n    <\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebarbuttonholder\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttonsmem\">START FREE TRIAL<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"margin-top:1.5em;\">or<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/register-ll-birch-tree-landscape\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"sidebuttons\">BUY CLASS $67<\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperkscontainer\">\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><span>This lesson series features:<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"far fa-clock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>7 Hours of Instruction<\/div>\n<div class=\"courseperks\"><i class=\"fas fa-film\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>7 Videos<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p>\n\n<div class=\"contentfix\">\n<div class=\"favorites\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tabs\">\n<p> <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-1\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-1\" class=\"label\">Lessons <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Lessons<\/h2>\n\n<\/p>\n<p><div class=\"curriculumcontainer\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 1: (1:10:52)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 2: (1:11:04)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 3: (1:12:08)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 4: (1:07:51)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 5: (1:02:44)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 6: (1:07:53)<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" class=\"curriculum\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Lesson 7: (1:03:49)<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-2\" checked=\"checked\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-2\" class=\"label\">About <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>About This Lesson Series...<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe <em>Birch Tree Landscape with Pastels<\/em> class is a comprehensive, step-by-step lesson series that teaches artists how to create a realistic and atmospheric pastel landscape featuring birch trees. This class focuses on observation, composition, layering, and blending techniques to capture the unique textures and subtle beauty of birch bark, foliage, and surrounding landscapes. By the end of the lesson, you\u2019ll gain the skills to create a vibrant, dynamic pastel drawing with depth and texture.\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/birch-tree-landscape-complete.jpg\" alt=\"Birch tree landscape painting with pastels\"><\/p>\n<h2>Planning the Composition<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe lesson begins with planning and sketching the composition. You\u2019ll learn how to break down complex natural scenes into simple shapes, ensuring that the placement of trees and landscape elements is balanced and visually appealing. This early stage emphasizes proportion, perspective, and the relationship between foreground and background, creating a strong foundation for the pastel application.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Blocking in Colors and Shapes<\/h2>\n<p>\nOnce the composition is established, the class demonstrates how to block in the main shapes and colors using soft pastels. You\u2019ll explore techniques for creating broad areas of color that represent the forest floor, distant trees, and sky. Working from general to specific, this stage allows you to establish light, value, and overall harmony before adding finer details.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Layering and Blending Techniques<\/h2>\n<p>\nA central focus of the class is layering and blending to create depth and richness. You\u2019ll learn how to build up multiple layers of pastel, combining colors to produce subtle variations in tone and value. Blending techniques are explored to create smooth transitions, soft edges, and atmospheric effects, while preserving texture where necessary. These methods help to bring the birch trees and surrounding landscape to life.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Capturing Texture and Detail<\/h2>\n<p>\nRendering the texture of birch bark and foliage is a key aspect of the lesson. You\u2019ll learn how to use varied marks, directional strokes, and subtle highlights to depict the distinctive patterns of the trees. The instructor demonstrates how to add delicate details without overworking the pastel, ensuring the drawing maintains its vibrancy and natural feel.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Enhancing Depth and Atmosphere<\/h2>\n<p>\nDepth and atmosphere are crucial in creating a realistic forest scene. The class teaches how to manipulate color, value, and edge quality to push elements into the background and bring others forward. Techniques for softening distant trees and emphasizing contrast in the foreground help create a sense of space, distance, and environmental mood.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Final Refinements and Highlights<\/h2>\n<p>\nIn the final stages, attention shifts to refining details, enhancing contrast, and adding highlights to unify the artwork. You\u2019ll learn how to evaluate your pastel drawing as a whole, making adjustments to balance composition, reinforce focal points, and maintain harmony. By the end of the lesson, you\u2019ll have a polished, expressive pastel landscape that captures the beauty of birch trees in a natural setting.\n<\/p>\n<h2>A Complete Pastel Landscape Experience<\/h2>\n<p>\nBy completing the <em>Birch Trees with Pastels<\/em> class, you\u2019ll have developed essential skills in observation, layering, blending, and texture. This lesson provides a strong foundation for creating compelling pastel landscapes and equips you with techniques that can be applied to a wide range of natural subjects. It is perfect for artists of all levels seeking to improve their pastel skills while capturing the serene beauty of the forest.\n<\/p>\n<h2>Specific Lessons<\/h2>\n<h3>Lesson 1 (1:10:52) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson one, we discuss the materials and begin layering in darker tones and shadows.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 2 (1:11:04) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson two, we begin refining the trees behind the main birch trees.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 3 (1:12:08) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson three, we enhance the contrast and push color relationships to create depth on the left side of the picture plane. We also begin laying in tree branches with pastel pencils.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 4 (1:07:51) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson four, we begin work on the trees on the right side of the picture plane.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 5 (1:02:44) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson five, we complete the trees on the right side of the picture and add the overlapping branches and leaves.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 6 (1:07:53) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson six, we redirect the path and address the grass and plants around it.<\/p>\n<h3>Lesson 7 (1:03:49) <\/h3>\n<p>In lesson seven, we complete the pastel painting and with the time remaining - we play a fun creativity boosting drawing game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-3\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-3\" class=\"label\">Resources <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:2px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Resources for this Lesson...<\/h2>\n<p><i class=\"fas fa-exclamation-triangle\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Distributing any content downloaded from this site is strictly prohibited and against the terms and conditions of use.<\/p>\n\n<\/p>\n<h4>References<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Photo Reference<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i class=\"fas fa-lock\" style=\"margin-right:10px;\"><\/I>Finished Result<\/a><\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<p><input name=\"tabs\" type=\"radio\" id=\"tab-4\" class=\"input\"\/><br \/>\n  <label for=\"tab-4\" class=\"label\">Materials <i class=\"fas fa-angle-down\" style=\"margin-left:10px;\"><\/i><\/label><\/p>\n<div class=\"panel\">\n<h2>Here's what you'll need...<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3CIWW2s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rembrandt Soft Pastels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/2ZHxrjq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">CarbOthello Pastel Pencils<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3BD1I00\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Canson Mi-Teintes Pastel Paper (Steel Gray)<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Kneaded Eraser<\/li>\n<li>Blending Stumps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>(Disclosure: Links to art materials are affiliate links which means we make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you.)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sidebarbottom\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Your Instructor<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructor\">\n<div class=\"instructorimage\">\n<div class=\"instructorpic\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/images\/mattauthor.jpg\" alt=\"Matt Fussell - Instructor\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"instructorname\">Matt Fussell<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"instructordes\">\n<p>Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.<\/p>\n<p><div style=\"padding-top:10px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/blog\/author\/admin\">Learn more about Matt<\/a><\/div>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relatedcoursescontainer\">\n<div class=\"relatedcourse\">Related Courses and Classes<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/marsh-landscape-with-pastels\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Pastel Marsh Landscape<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Marsh-Landscape-fin-400.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/fall-landscape-with-oil-pastels\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Fall Landscape with Oil Pastels<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Oil-Pastel-Fall-Landscape-series.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/animals-with-pastels\" class=\"sidebarbottom-curriculum\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"leftlean\"><i class=\"far fa-play-circle\" style=\"margin-right:5px;\"><\/i>Animals with Pastels<\/div>\n<div class=\"rightlean\" style=\"background-image: url('https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Animals-with-Pastels-Course.jpg');\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div>\n<p><script>\nfunction myFunction(x) {\n  if (x.matches) { \/\/ If media query matches\n    radiobtn = document.getElementById(\"tab-1\");\nradiobtn.checked = true;\n 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Tree Landscape with Pastels class is a comprehensive, step-by-step lesson series that teaches artists how to create a realistic and atmospheric pastel landscape featuring birch trees. This class focuses on observation, composition, layering, and blending techniques to capture the unique [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"paget-iframe.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37650","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37650"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37650\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":46213,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/37650\/revisions\/46213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thevirtualinstructor.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}