Improve Your Practice with Laurie Basham
3 Separate Workshops - Sign up for one or all three. Your choice!

Key Dates: 

• Workshops: April 8 - 10th, 2026 (3 days)
• 14 total registrants for each workshop
• MPS Member Registration Begins: February 8, 2026
• Non-Member Registration Opens: March 8, 2026

Workshop Descriptions:

Workshop 1 – Exploring Paper  $149.00 - 10 am to 4 pm

• Focus: Experiment with various pastel papers, underpaintings, and how different surfaces affect pastel application.

• Various papers and underpainting materials will be provided.  Students can bring any papers you already own. Bring your pastels and pan pastels. 

• Instructor will have some reference photos but bring your own also.

• Other supplies to bring:  A few large 1-2 in brushes for underpaintings as well as painters tape, gloves, paper towels, rags, and a drawing board.
  

Workshop 2 – Break Free from the Photo: Explore & Express in Pastels    $135.00 - 10 am to 4 pm, 

• Focus: Create representational paintings in both small and large formats, using photos and life as references.
• Approach: Work with time-limited exercises encouraging spontaneity, looseness, and intuitive responses. The emphasis is on painting fast and freely, capturing the essence and energy of the subject.
• Supplies: Bring your own paper and pastels, large 1-2 in brushes for underpaintings as well as painters tape, gloves, paper towels, rags, reference photos and a drawing board.

Workshop 3 – Using Apps for More Creative and Inspiring Reference Photos - $135.00 - 10 am to 1 pm 

• Focus: Learn how to use various apps to create improved reference photos for painting. Includes a live demonstration.

• Students will need an APPLE device.  An iPhone or iPad, specifically.  Both is best so you can see the difference in how the apps work on each device (it varies).

  Download the following Apps.  Purchase is not necessary but the first 2 are recommended. Become familiar with the apps before the class.

  1.Brushes Redux
  
  2. BeCasso

  3.Blur Photo Editor

  4. Notanizer

  
  

Artist Bio

Laurie Basham is a pastel artist who enjoys capturing the beauty of color found in light and shadow, whether it’s a landscape, figure or still-life. Laurie is always searching for new ways to view the world, constantly seeking interesting angles and patterns of shape and value. She is captivated by objects lit from behind, where the light creates a glowing halo effect. Her goal is to illuminate the beauty of everyday life through the medium of pastel.

A native of Rockville Maryland, Laurie received her Degree in Art Education from the University of Maryland in 1985. After an award winning career as an Art Educator in Howard County Maryland, she retired in 2019.  Since retirement, Laurie has been enjoying being a full time artist and has received awards in several plein-air competitions, as well as acceptance into several national and international shows. Laurie received the Portrait/Figure Award in The Pastel Society of the Southwest’s 39th National Juried Exhibition as well as a Member’s Choice Award at the Piedmont Pastel Society’s 2020 Member’s Show. In 2021 Laurie received the Pastel Painters of Cape Cod Award in the Maryland Pastel Society’s Symphony in Pastel Juried Members Show as well as a Juror’s Exceptional Merit Award in the Left Coast Pastel Painters Society’s International Show. 

Laurie is a signature member of the Pastel Society of North Carolina, a Juried Associate Member of the Pastel Society of America and a signature member of the Maryland Pastel Society. She is past President of the Piedmont Pastel Society. She is also an active member of the Associated Artists of Winston Salem and the Carolina Painters’ Guild.  

Laurie’s style has changed a bit over the years. At the beginning of her career in pastel painting, she worked very detailed, taking days to complete a piece. Now, after being inspired by the MPS guest demonstrations by Tony Allain and Gail Piazza, her works are completed in just a few hours. Using Tony’s quick sharpie sketch technique, then an under-painting using pan pastels, her work has become more spontaneous. Sometimes the under-paintings just need a few touches of pastel sticks for her to feel the piece is complete. She has been experimenting with various surfaces to see which surface works best for her new technique, with favorites being Uart (dark) and Sennelier La Carte, and Canson Velvet!.

lauriebashamfineart.com

301-514-0915

Details: 

• Cost: See detail in each workshop description above
• Dates: April 8-10, 2026
• Location: beachKraft Gallery, 18200 Georgia Ave. Unit O+N (second level, elevator available), Olney, MD 20832
• Registration opens for Members 4 weeks before non-members.
• 
  

Registration:

• Class size is limited to 14 and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis with priority given to Maryland Pastel Society members.  
• Accommodations, meals, and supplies not included unless stated otherwise.  Tables, chairs, and desktop easels will be provided.  There are only 3 stand-up easels available so bring your own if you really need one.
• Full payment is required at the time of registration. Multiple payment options are available: credit card or check.   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Completion of the registration form AND receipt of full payment will place you on the roster.  A confirmation email will be sent to you after your full payment is received.