The Portrait in pastel with Cuong Nguyen
Back by popular demand!
Portrait in pastel
- a 5-day master class with Cuong Nguyen -
from September 7th to September 11th, 2026
Atelier Nadaï is delighted to receive internationally renowned artist Cuong Nguyen who will come and teach a 5-day Portrait in pastel workshop. Cuong will teach you how to create more realistic portrait in pastel pencil using his distinctive yet easy-to-follow technique as well as his approach to the verdaccio technique.
Outline of program
Day 1: Learning about the color method
Day 2: Learning how to traded an image to your paper.
Day 3: Finish the under drawing, and student will apply the Verdaccio technique.
Day 4: Working on skin tone technique.
Day 5: Details and final touches.
*Outline of the program is for informative purpose; the program may therefore receive modifications if necessary
Overview
During this workshop Cuong will demonstrate his own techniques to draw from a photograph using soft pastels and pastel pencils. Students will learn to use an approach that helps them see the big shapes first and then go into details towards the end of the course.
These workshops are designed to create a relaxed, informative, yet focused working environment for all skill levels. The core of the lesson will be based on drawing, values, edges, composition and creating life-like skin tone color. Students will learn to use an approach that helps them see the big shapes first, and then go into details towards the end of the session. This is a great opportunity for you to discover your own passion for drawing, or just take your existing skills to the next level. This is a small class with individualized instruction, so space is limited.
Techniques of Portrait in Pastel by Cuong Nguyen
Places are limited to 10 students!
Date: September 7th to September 11th, 2026
Duration : 5 days from Monday to Friday: a total of 35 hours
7 hours of class per day from 9:00am-12:00pm and 13:30pm-17:30pm
Instructor: Cuong Nguyen
Location: Atelier Nadaï, 8 rue François Arago, 47000 Agen, France
Tuition: 1200.00 euros net (our courses are exempt of VAT).
Tuition includes
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Cuong's live instructions and daily critic of your work
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free sheets for drawing portrait in pastel (approximately 50cmx65cm)
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color photos of portrait subject
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coffee, tea and biscuits during breaks
Materials needed for the class
We ask that you bring the following materials for this workshop
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1 set of CarbOthello - set of 60 colors
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artist masking tape
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large drawing folder (to carry back your work)
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mahlstick
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soft pastel for background
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rags
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kneaded rubber
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6 board clips