Break Free from Reference Photos -- using Soft Pastels with Karen Margulis

Break Free from Reference Photos -- using Soft Pastels with Karen Margulis

Workshop | Registration opens 12/31/2026 12:00 AM EDT

94 Stafford Ave. Manahawkin, NJ 08050 United States
TBD
Intermediate/Advanced
10/25/2027-10/27/2027
9:30 AM-4:30 PM EDT on Mon Tue Wed
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10/15/2027

Break Free from Reference Photos -- using Soft Pastels with Karen Margulis

Workshop | Registration opens 12/31/2026 12:00 AM EDT

Discover how reference photos can become a springboard for expressive, personal paintings in this inspiring three-day soft pastel workshop with Karen Margulis.

Through lively demonstrations, creative challenges, and individual easel-side guidance, you’ll explore practical ways to interpret your subject, simplify what you see, and infuse each painting with more of your own artistic voice.

Across the three days, Karen will present a demonstration each morning and afternoon — highlighting different strategies for moving beyond literal reference and toward more intuitive, expressive mark-making. You’ll learn how to evaluate your photos, identify what truly matters, and make creative choices that support stronger compositions and more personal results.

Participants are encouraged to bring a variety of your own reference photos to explore.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll discover fresh possibilities for transforming ordinary images into paintings that feel uniquely yours.

  • Secure your spot by registering early! 

    If you register on or     before June 1, 2027, a $150 deposit is required at the time of registration, with the remaining balance due by June 15, 2027.


    For registrations after June 15, 2027, the full tuition is required at the time of registration.

    This is a three-day workshop featuring an out of town artist.  Our 45-day cancellation policy for out of town artists applies. Please review the cancel policy     here.

Margulis, Karen
Karen Margulis

Karen Margulis PSA-MP IAPS-EP

Karen Margulis is a full time artist and art educator. She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her husband Michael. Karen received her BA in Education from the University of Florida. She currently teaches painting workshops around the world.

Karen is a contemporary landscape painter. She works in most painting media but has achieved recognition for her pastel paintings. She has exhibited her award winning work around the world and has been reviewed by Pastel Journal for her wildflower paintings. She is a Master Pastelist member of the Pastel Society of America and has achieved Eminent Pastelist status with the International Association of Pastel Societies. She has been a faculty member at the prestigious IAPS Convention, the Plein Air Convention and the online Pastel Live conference.

Karen has a passion for travel and painting while on location. She enjoys the opportunity to share her techniques and approach to making art in her workshops. She is known for her ability to make art simple, accessible to all and fun. Karen is also an avid Daily Painter and online instructor. She paints everyday and shares her work, art tips and inspiration in her daily posts in her Patreon group ‘Pastels Made Simple’.

Karen is delighted to be able share her love of pastel painting. She is excited to help students experience the joy of painting and to see the world with new eyes. As Degas said “Art is not what you see. It’s what you make others see”. Karen looks forward to helping others share their own artistic vision.

To view more of Karen's work, you can check out her website.