Poinsettia in Pastels: Create a Beautiful Holiday-Inspired Painting at ART BIAS in San Carlos
Poinsettia in Pastels: Create a Beautiful Holiday-Inspired Painting at ART BIAS in San Carlos
Celebrate the beauty of the holiday season through art at Poinsettia in Pastels, a creative painting workshop taking place at ART BIAS in San Carlos on Saturday, November 21, 2026. Led by pastel artist Deb Shea, this hands-on class invites participants to explore the fundamentals of pastel painting while creating their own beautiful poinsettia artwork inspired by one of the season’s most recognizable flowers.
Scheduled from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, the three-hour workshop offers an opportunity to develop artistic skills, experiment with colors, and discover techniques for transforming a simple sketch into a finished floral painting. Designed for beginning-to-intermediate artists, the class welcomes those who are new to pastels as well as participants who want to strengthen their existing abilities.
Located at ART BIAS, Studio 114, at 1700 Industrial Road in San Carlos, California, the workshop provides a dedicated setting for learning, creativity, and artistic exploration.
Discover the Beauty of Poinsettias Through Pastel Art
Poinsettias are widely associated with the holiday season, thanks to their striking red bracts, vibrant green foliage, and distinctive appearance. Their bold colors and layered forms make them an appealing subject for artists interested in floral painting.
In Poinsettia in Pastels, participants will have the opportunity to interpret this seasonal flower through the expressive qualities of pastel art. Rather than simply copying what they see, students will learn how artistic techniques can help them create a balanced composition and bring their subject to life.
Pastels are especially appealing for floral artwork because they allow artists to work directly with color, build layers, and create a variety of textures. With the right approach, students can explore the contrast between the poinsettia’s vivid red bracts and its surrounding green leaves while developing a better understanding of shape, light, and visual balance.
The workshop offers a chance to slow down, observe the details of a familiar seasonal subject, and discover how small artistic decisions can transform a drawing into an expressive painting.
Whether you enjoy botanical art, seasonal crafts, or learning a new creative skill, this class provides an inviting way to spend a Saturday morning.
Learn the Fundamentals of Pastel Painting
The workshop introduces several essential art concepts that can help participants develop a stronger foundation in painting.
Students will explore value, composition, and color, three important elements that influence how an artwork looks and feels.
Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of colors. Understanding value helps artists create the appearance of depth, distinguish overlapping forms, and make important parts of a painting stand out.
Composition involves arranging the elements within an artwork. By considering the placement, size, and relationship of the flower and its surrounding leaves, participants can create a painting that feels organized and visually engaging.
Color is equally important when painting poinsettias. Learning how colors interact can help students capture the vibrancy of the flower while maintaining harmony throughout the composition.
These concepts are useful far beyond floral painting. Once understood, they can be applied to landscapes, still-life arrangements, portraits, and many other artistic subjects.
For beginners, learning these fundamentals provides a practical starting point. For more experienced students, revisiting them can help refine technique and encourage more intentional artistic choices.
From Sketches to a Finished Poinsettia Painting
One of the central activities of the class is learning how to develop an artwork through several stages.
Participants will work with sketches, underpainting, and layering to create their own pastel paintings. Each stage serves a different purpose and helps students understand how a composition develops.
Sketching establishes the basic arrangement of the subject. It allows artists to identify the flower’s overall shape and plan where the leaves and other elements will appear before adding color.
Underpainting introduces an initial layer that helps establish the painting’s structure and tonal relationships. This stage can guide the development of color and value as the artwork progresses.
Layering then allows participants to build up colors, refine shapes, and introduce details. Through this process, the poinsettia gradually takes form, with its distinctive bracts and foliage becoming more defined.
Learning these steps can make pastel painting feel more approachable, especially for people who are unsure how to begin a piece of artwork. Rather than trying to complete everything at once, students can focus on building their paintings gradually.
By the end of the session, participants will have the opportunity to create their own interpretation of a beautiful poinsettia while gaining practical experience with the medium.
A Beginning-to-Intermediate Class With Deb Shea
Poinsettia in Pastels is designed for beginning-to-intermediate students. No advanced artistic background is required to benefit from learning the fundamentals, making the class an appealing option for people interested in exploring a new hobby.
Participants who are just starting can become familiar with basic techniques, materials, and artistic terminology. Those with previous experience can use the session to practice composition, improve their use of color, and experiment with layering.
The class is taught by Deb Shea, who guides participants through the creative process. Learning in a studio environment offers an opportunity to concentrate on the artwork, follow a structured lesson, and explore techniques through hands-on practice.
All supplies are included, so attendees can focus on learning and creating without having to purchase their own materials in advance.
The cost is $110 per class, covering the three-hour workshop. For anyone looking for a creative activity before the holiday season gets underway, the session combines practical instruction with the enjoyment of making something by hand.
Continue Your Artistic Journey at ART BIAS
Poinsettia in Pastels is part of a recurring monthly pastel class taught by Deb Shea. Each month introduces new themes and techniques, allowing participants to continue exploring the medium and building their artistic confidence.
This ongoing format can be especially valuable for students who want to make art a regular part of their lives. With each new subject, participants can practice familiar skills while learning different ways to approach color, composition, texture, and form.
The monthly series also provides opportunities to experiment with different artistic subjects throughout the year. Seasonal flowers such as poinsettias offer a timely source of inspiration in November, while future classes will introduce additional themes and techniques.
For San Carlos residents and nearby art enthusiasts, ART BIAS offers a place to engage with the local creative community and dedicate time to artistic development.
Event Details: Date, Time, and Location
Event: Poinsettia in Pastels
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (GMT-08:00)
Doors open: 8:45 AM
Duration: Three hours
Instructor: Deb Shea
Venue: ART BIAS, Studio 114
Address: 1700 Industrial Road, San Carlos, California, United States
Skill level: Beginning to intermediate
Cost: $110 per class
Materials: All supplies included
Advance registration is recommended. Check the event organizer’s listing for availability and registration instructions before attending.
Welcome the Holiday Season With Creativity
Poinsettia in Pastels offers a refreshing way to celebrate the approaching holiday season while learning a new artistic skill. Through sketching, underpainting, layering, and exploring essential art concepts, participants can discover how to create a colorful floral painting of their own.
Whether you are a beginner eager to try pastels or an experienced hobbyist looking for fresh inspiration, this workshop offers three hours of hands-on creativity in a dedicated San Carlos art studio.
Mark November 21 on your calendar, reserve your place, and enjoy an opportunity to learn, experiment, and connect with your creative side.
Let the colors of the poinsettia inspire your next masterpiece at ART BIAS in San Carlos!
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