Spark Creativity Fuel Passion — Join IGNITE!

The best online membership for Learning How To Master Painting with Pastels, and have fun too!

5 Year Anniversary Opening until Sunday! Put your passion first and join today to get 50% Off your first month

⌚ Time left 👉

Days

Hours

Minutes

Seconds

With Professional Artist & Instructor Gail Sibley

Help you create better soft pastel paintings

Designed to perfect your painting skills allowing you to be a confident, fearless, and successful artist pursuing your soul's purpose of living a rich creative life!

Filled with well thought out trainings that are focused, bite-sized, and impactful. You can follow along with the monthly lessons OR you can go back through over 5 years of lessons.

AND we have a private and mighty community of pastel artists from around the world where we post our art, discuss pastels, and generally share our journey as we learn and take our art to the NEXT LEVEL.

Don't miss this chance to prioritize your art-making!

Check out how IGNITE! helps you make better artwork

Our comprehensive library of lessons and resources help you learn exactly what you need!

Learning

Doing is the key to great art-making and the Library at IGNITE! helps keep your momentum strong!

Doing

Our easy to use community is inspiring, friendly, supportive, and private!

Connecting

at IGNITE! we have...

Amazing GUEST ARTISTS such as...

Richard Suckling

On Bringing Your Plein Air Skills Into the Studio

Alain Picard

Getting To Know Your Subject

Lyn ASSELTA

Masterclass on Painting Rocks

Rita Rirkman

Painting Animals in Pastel

Clarence Porter

Painting the Night

...and others like Michelle Ashby, Corey Pitkin, Mel Williamson, Jessica Masters, Ian Roberts, Clarence Porter, Robin Thornhill, Casey Klahn...

These artists are doing it!

So can you...

Let me introduce myself...

Press
Play

Before I tell you more about this art membership, let's talk about who it's really for:

IGNITE! is for artists who love painting with soft pastels and want training, demos, resources, and an amazing community to work and play in!

IGNITE! is absolutely right for you if...

You love painting with pastels but you're overwhelmed by everything involved, from getting the right materials to knowing how to create a strong and meaningful painting
You want to improve your artists skillset learning more about thumbnails, values, colours, composition, and everything in between to create stunning works of art!
You want accountability to get into your studio regularly, while having fun and painting with confidence
You're dedicated to growing who you are as an artist and striving for that goal each and every time you put your #pasteltopaper

IGNITE! is NOT about keeping up, it's about learning what you want, when you want it.

You may have tried programmes before but felt your work didn’t progress. IGNITE! makes it different! We will work together to discover your strengths and where you may need to put some attention. You WILL move along your Art Path!

IGNITE! will help you...

Paint luminous vibrant paintings

Increase your knowledge about the critical relationship
between value and colour

Use colour with confidence

Understand the power of thumbnails

Develop a regular routine of painting

Create powerful compositions with strong value patterns

Get to the bottom of why edges matter!

IGNITE!

Let's break it down...

Tutorials

I and my guests make regular additions to the hundreds of videos already in the library. Learn what you need, when you need it! A few examples of Tutorials already in the library are: Thumbnails, Choosing first layer colours, Colour Temperature, Colour Intensity, Seeing Colour in Greys, Reflections in Water, Composition, Linear Perspective. And that's barely scratching the surface!

Critiques

In this area of the membership I will sometimes give feedback on member paintings done in response to new lessons that are released. It's a fun and engaging way to create group instruction. Always positive, always working to make stronger art! Who knew criticism could be fun?! And no pressure to participate. Just watching is also learning 😀

Art Demos with Voiceover

I also have videos of me or a guest creating a painting. The demos come with a voiceover that explains what we're doing and what we're thinking through the creative process. Students say it's helpful to hear the thought process, the 'why' of our choices.

Looking at Art

Examining art from the past is a powerful way to learn. We take a close look at artworks from the past through the lens of a particular topic (eg colour temperature) to see how they dealt with the concept. It's also SOOOO much fun to travel virtually to art galleries around the world together. Inspiring & Educational!! And, we do it LIVE!

A Creative Community

For our private online community we use a platform called Mighty Networks where members post work and get group feedback and responses. This is a place to share your struggles and joys as an artist! We love seeing everyone's art journeys.

Art Camps

Art Camps take over the whole month and cover a range of topics from How to PLAY (so important!!) to The Elements and Principles of Art, from Ways to Get Into the Studio to Working in a Series, from Critiquing your Own Work to Moving Beyond Your Reference. And plenty more!

Hear from an IGNITE! Member

~ Nicolette - from the Netherlands

IGNITE! is great fun and the accountability is great for me.

We have virtual museum visits where we discuss the work of well known artists.

Gail is very generous and caring.

I've learned so much from it all!

Where are you on this art path?

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn with Gail!

READ RHONA’S STORY AND HER IGNITE! EXPERIENCE

I studied art at school, a long long time ago! My school was the old grammar school style in England. We drew a lot. And that was about it. But I loved it and even considered studying it at university. But didn’t dare.

Life took over. Moving to 2 foreign countries, learning new languages, bringing up a family, adjusting to a chronic illness, and in between trying to do some art. I was dying to learn how to paint. So I dabbled a little. Tried a few classes. Not successfully.

Then the internet arrived! And I had to stop work. Suddenly I had time…..my family were the primary pushers: Come on mum/wifey! You can do this!! So….they bought me stuff. PRESSURE! How do I DO this?? I had somehow or other found Gail’s HowToPastel blog and just enjoyed seeing what was there, but still like the fly on the wall I had become, it didn’t actually get me to put pastel to paper….and then she announced IGNITE!

Dare I? Can I do this? What does it involve? Can a complete newbie like me cope?

I had had some really miserable experiences with lessons before….so would it be a waste of my money (no longer earning….)?

I took the plunge!

Gail took us RIGHT back to the beginning. I was so relieved! Learning about thumbnails and values and colours. The demos were daunting, but Gail! Seriously, she is so incredibly warm and welcoming and full of encouragement and enthusiasm, YET she dares to critique honestly which is where we LEARN! I have already learned so much, but what is more incredible is that after all these years, I AM DOING ART AGAIN ALMOST DAILY and a rhythm is appearing and I am beginning to feel the fear disappear and the joy return! I’m ‘playing’ with colour and form and line. I am thrilled and beginning to talk to anyone who will listen and I go around squinting at the world, checking values!

I cannot recommend this membership highly enough!

~ Rhona Li

IGNITE! Art Membership Learn Your Way

Library of Tutorials

When a new tutorial or lesson is released it can be watched and absorbed at your own pace. In some instances, if you wish, you can submit work done in response to the tutorial for possible inclusion in the critiques. Yay!

These tutorials often address problems as I see them emerge and don’t always follow a linear pattern. Here are a few examples of tutorials: Thumbnails, Choosing First Layer Colours, Rule of Thirds, Colour Temperature, Colour Intensity, Using a Limited Palette, Linear Perspective, All About Foregrounds, Understanding Edges, Seeing Value, Dealing with Greens, Using a Boring Photo as Inspiration, Painting Intuitively, Seeing Colour in Greys, Playing with Colour, Painting White Objects, the Foundation of Portrait Painting.

“For me, a very important lesson to learn and to learn to use.” ~John T

“You provide the yeast, I’m trying to bake the bread.” ~Jean S

Helpful Demos

Along with Tutorials I also include a video showing the creation of a painting related to the month’s theme. Usually it’s me but occasionally, it’s by a guest. It comes with a voiceover that explains what’s happening as the painting appears before you. In this way, you’ll understand not only the how’s but the why’s!

“Your demos are truly inspiring. It is just thrilling to watch and learn.” ~ Renee

“I‘m amazed at your color mastery, how you can turn a seemingly mundane subject into something exciting. I think you’re very generous with your thinking and processes in your painting, and that’s essential in an art membership.” ~Bonnie

Constructive Critiques

I’ll also give feedback on selected member paintings done in response to the new tutorial for the purpose of group instruction. Hearing my thoughts on work by other members will help you with your own artistic development.

“Thanks so much, Gail, for explaining this. So much to learn, think about and apply, but I love that.” ~Judi

“Excellent instruction!” ~Shirley

Fun Looking at Art

One of my favorite things we like to do in IGNITE! is to “Look At Art” primarily from the past, through the lens of our current Tutorial topic. You’ll see how what we’ve been learning shows up in paintings by the masters. From this examination, you’ll discover the relevance, value, and possibilities in the exploration or these artworks and how you can use it all in your own work. We usually do these calls LIVE!

“I found it very useful to see the way some paintings can be divided into thirds when looking at the composition. Looking beyond the “sweet spot” was a great addition. I really liked this lesson, looking at art in the context of our current focus … I have so much to learn!” ~Dotti

bonus Private Community

Our IGNITE! community meets in a Private Group on Mighty Networks. (Yup, we aren’t on Facebook as most IGNITErs prefer this.) Members post work and get feedback and response from me and our caring and encouraging community. This is a place to share your struggles and joys as an artist!

“I am now drawing every day. You are “igniting” the passion. And we are only beginning..” ~Marnie

“I love the atmosphere and fun of IGNITE!” ~ Liz S

This

AMAZING BONUS

Inspiring Art Camps

As IGNITE! artists move through the membership there are often things that come up in our discussions where I think, ‘Hey, lots of people are struggling with this or that’ and I’ll create a short mini series on helping them through that process.’ It’s so much fun to be able to create the tools IGNITErs really need! Tools like understanding our materials (pastel and paper), drawing better, getting back to playing in our art, critiquing our own work, creating goals and turning up to do our art.

Real Artists. Real Success!

Member Showcase

This could be your game changer...

I remember when I was facing failures in my own art-making.

An example of this: I’d finally gulp and go ahead and spend money on expensive materials. But then I'd use them only stingily because of the high cost. So instead of growing my knowledge and skills by painting, . I didn’t make much progress.

Or when I did paint, all I seemed to make was mud.

Until I learnt that understanding values makes all the difference!!

And although I loved colour, it was when I began to see what colour schemes had to do with anything that my work began to get better. The same thing went with composition, something I struggled with for ages. And all this roundabout learning took time!

I read books. I took classes but many instructors held back much of their expertise

...(the thing at that time was “don’t give away your secrets”) and I had to stumble my way along. Eventually, workshops with artists I admired did make a difference but there was never any opportunity for follow-up with these masters. I couldn't ask at a later date: Am I applying the lesson correctly?

I don’t want you to have to flounder like I did. I want to help you accelerate along your art path to becoming a confident and accomplished artist.

You will get there with my help and the help of our encouraging community of IGNITErs!

Here's what members have to say about IGNITE!

"I have improved and learned so much since I have started with IGNITE!. You always explain things and make it easy to understand so we can apply the knowledge to our own paintings."

Michele Carlino-Tamane

"Gail is a wonderful teacher. I love her energy, enthusiasm, and determination to see her students progress. Her lessons are always useful and fun. The IGNITE! membership gives you access to a variety of pastel/art related lessons and content, as well as a friendly, supportive, online community."

Wendy Christoforato

I’m a student in Gail’s membership IGNITE! at Gail Sibley’s Art School online. I love the work that Gail does. She is just full of passion for Pastels. I love her method that she uses for finding possible colour combinations, by layering one colour on top of another. It brings the Pastel to life and gives it a vibrancy you don’t normally see. The videos are there for you to access when it’s convenient to you. You can watch as many times as you want. Very user friendly!" I would recommend this to anyone who would like to improve their Pastel skills. It sure has helped me! And, it is affordable.

Ed Kramer

You can't lose! Gail is such an organized, thoughtful, and experienced artist and teacher that you are guaranteed to learn." She gets to the heart of what you need to know without wasting your time on frivolities or trying to upsell while she's teaching.

Ruth Goslin

"Gail Sibley is such a wonderful pastel teacher. She has a vast knowledge of the subject and is very thorough in her coverage of all topics." I find her demos particularly inspiring and educational, and I really love her lively and energetic way of presenting the material. I still have so much to learn and hope to find more time to paint and learn from the IGNITE! community. Thanks so much, Gail!"

Mary Hopkins

And Who Am I?

Hi, I’m Gail Sibley! You may be wondering why you should trust me to be your pastel guide. Well here’s a bit of background in case we haven’t met on my HowToPastel blog, YouTube videos, or my online courses.

I’ve been using soft pastels since 1992 and began teaching a few years later. That means I’ve been sharing my knowledge for almost 30 years (how in the world did that happen??). I LOVE teaching and helping others improve their work and become successful artists.

I write and curate a well-respected blog (HowToPastel.com). I've contributed to DK’s beautiful art book, "Artist Drawing Techniques."

My artwork has hung in national and international shows and my work is at home in private houses in several countries.

I’m the founder of IGNITE! - a premium art-making membership programme that empowers you by providing inspiration and information to ignite your creative power of art-making. I want to help you overcome your challenges and frustrations so you can paint with passion and fire!

That’s enough about me!

This is really about YOU and your quest to become a confident artist. And I’m committed to helping you on that journey.

Let's review what's all in the membership!

Constructive Critiques

In this area of the membership I will sometimes give feedback on member paintings done in response to new lessons that are released. It's a fun and engaging way to create group instruction. Always positive, always working to make stronger art! Who knew criticism was fun. And no pressure to participate. Just watching is also learning 😀

HUGE library of Tutorials

I make regular additions to the hundreds of videos already in the library. Learn what you need, when you need it! from me and our guests A few examples of Tutorials already in the library are: Thumbnails, Choosing first layer colours, Colour Temperature, Colour Intensity, Linear Perspective. And that's barely scratching the surface!

Art Demos with Voiceover that put the tutorials into action

I also have videos of me and guests creating a painting. The demos come with a voiceover that explains what I’m doing and what I’m thinking through the creative process. My students say it's helpful to hear my thought process, the 'why' of my choices. That's what this type of demonstration is about.

Educational Looking at Art of the Past

Examining art from the past is a powerful way to learn. We take a close look at artworks through the lens of a particular topic (eg linear perspective) to see how they dealt with the concept. It's also SOOOO much fun to travel virtually to art galleries around the world together. Inspiring & Educational!!

BONUS

A Creative and Encouraging Community

Funtastic Art Camps

Art Camps are created around topics that I see groups of our members struggling with. They cover a range of topics that range from building confidence through mindset, or remembering how to have fun while me make art. You can always make requests!!!

Invest in your art-making - Get the right tools!

Sign Up Today and Get 50% off your first Month!

FAQs

What level of experience do I need?

While IGNITE! has lots of good information for everyone, it is best suited for artists who have some knowledge and experience with pastels. Certainly, if you’ve gone through Gail’s course Pastels 101 (and we recommend that you do!!) then you’re ready for IGNITE! Having said that, most of the lessons relate to art-making in general so although Gail usually demos in soft pastels, please feel free to use any medium!

How does it all work?

IGNITE! is a HUGE library of content to help artists become more skilled, engaged, and entertained. There are many types of content, here are some examples:

Lessons related to a pastel technique or an art-making element
Demos with voiceovers
Critical looking at art from the past (and maybe some more current) that related to other lessons (often as a live session)
Art critiques of members as a part of a theme or skill we’re working on.
There are also fun BONUS Blind Dates if the month has an extra Sunday. This will be a surprise!
We have random Pop-up Playtimes where we co-create together on Zoom
And then there are the Art Camps – month-long experiences that replace the usual monthly schedule – to mix things up a bit!

Usually new content is released on Sundays. You can watch when you have time and at your convenience. It’s always there for you to dip into when you need a bit of inspiration and learning to warm the art fire!

We also have our private IGNITE! community – hearth of the home 😀

Is there a long-term commitment?

If you choose the monthly option, you’re free to cancel your membership at any time without penalty. (But you will lose your current member price if you decide to return at a later date.)

If you choose the annual option, it’s a full-on commitment to you and your art journey. You can try IGNITE! for 15 days and if it doesn’t suit you, you can get a refund. After 15 days, there is no refund. Just your total commitment to your success!

Who is IGNITE! for?

Great question! It’s perfect for you if you:

want to move your artwork forward
love the idea of getting to the heart of values
feel overwhelmed by what to do next
wish you could figure out how to use colour
struggle with composition
want to find a way of creating art regularly
are stuck and need a breakthrough
want to be part of a community of artists who help, encourage, support, and inspire one another in this art world
want expert instruction from a master teacher who teaches, helps, and encourages you to develop your pastelling and art-making skills and to implement what you’ve learned.

What supplies will I need?

There are no specific supplies but I do recommend that if you’re using soft pastels, you at least have a starter set of soft pastels. My own Unison Colour set of 36 pastels set is a great place to start! I will often use this set for demonstrating.

You should also have some sheets of neutral-coloured, mid-value Canson Mi-Teintes (“Felt Grey” is what I like to use), and some sheets of good quality paper made for pastels eg UART and Pastelmat.

You will also need a sketchbook (I like Bateman sketchbooks), HB and 4B pencils, and two markers – one 50% black and the other, a black).

I like vine charcoal, a 3H pencil, or a pastel pencil to draw up a subject on paper

I also recommend having a Colour Wheel and a View Finder.

Barrier cream is useful as are wet wipes.

I will always be specific about what materials I’m using when demoing.

Can I access the content in IGNITE! if I cancel?

You have full access to ALL content released inside the membership during your time as an Active Member in IGNITE! If you cancel your membership, however, you will no longer be able to access that content.

What system requirements do I need?

As this membership is all online, you will need reliable high-speed internet service. Most of the content is in video format plus there will be the occasional live session. You can watch from any device – desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

I’m already super busy. Is this going to take up a lot of my time?

Each week, there will be new content that will run on average about an hour. You can watch this content at your convenience. We also have live hour-long sessions. The rest of the time, you’ll be free to paint 🙂 This is a membership where you can dip in and grab what you need. This is not a course with a beginning and end. You just go at your own pace. There’s no need to think about “falling behind!”

I also want to say that it’s through learning and then implementing – paint paint paint! – that you will move forward on your art journey!

When do I get access to IGNITE!??

As soon as you join!!!

When you purchase, you’ll receive TWO receipts (one from the Stripe payment platform and one from the GailSibleyArtSchool) plus an email with log-in details. Keep these somewhere safe. I also suggest you bookmark the login page in your browser.

How do I Pay for IGNITE!?

Once you register and make your first payment, your credit card will be charged automatically each month (if you chose the Monthly Subscription) or annually (if you chose the Annual Plan).

The main thing is to make sure to remember to let me know if there are any changes with your credit card, for example your expiry date is updated OR your card changes completely!

Offer Ends this Sunday

Act now and get 50% OFF your first month!

⌚ Time left 👇

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Hours

Minutes

$ 45

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Cancel Anytime
Get all the features
50% off your first month

$ 450

USD/Year

two months free!! (SAVE $90 dollars)
same price as a weekend course
Ease of Mind!

There is so much for an Artist to gain in this Membership. Signing up today means you will get full access to IGNITE! and all the tools that are helping so many artists flourish! I hope you are ready to join us in this fabulous, art-making, creative learning place!

Gail Sibley

Spark Creativity Fuel Passion — Join IGNITE!

The best online membership for Learning How To Master Painting with Pastels, and have fun too!

Help you create better soft pastel paintings

Designed to perfect your painting skills allowing you to be a confident, fearless, and successful artist pursuing your soul's purpose of living a rich creative life!

Filled with well thought out trainings that are focused, bite-sized, and impactful. You can follow along with the monthly lessons OR you can go back through over 5 years of lessons.

AND we have a private and mighty community of pastel artists from around the world where we post our art, discuss pastels, and generally share our journey as we learn and take our art to the NEXT LEVEL.

Don't miss this chance to prioritize your art-making!

Check out how IGNITE! helps you make better artwork

Learning

Doing

Connecting

Amazing GUEST ARTISTS such as...

Richard Suckling

On Bringing Your Plein Air Skills Into the Studio

Alain Picard

Getting To Know Your Subject

Lyn ASSELTA

Masterclass on Painting Rocks

Rita Rirkman

Painting Animals in Pastel

Clarence Porter

Painting the Night

...and others like Michelle Ashby, Corey Pitkin, Mel Williamson, Jessica Masters, Ian Roberts, Clarence Porter, Robin Thornhill, Casey Klahn...

These artists are doing it!

So can you...

Let me introduce myself...

Press Play

Before I tell you more about this art membership, let's talk about who it's really for:

IGNITE! is for artists who love painting with soft pastels and want training, demos, resources, and an amazing community to work and play in!

IGNITE! is absolutely right for you if...

IGNITE! is NOT about keeping up, it's about learning what you want, when you want it.

You may have tried programmes before but felt your work didn’t progress. IGNITE! makes it different! We will work together to discover your strengths and where you may need to put some attention. You WILL move along your Art Path!

IGNITE! will help you...

Paint luminous vibrant paintings

Increase your knowledge about the critical relationship between value and colour

Use colour with confidence

Understand the power of thumbnails

Develop a regular routine of painting

Create powerful compositions with strong value patterns

Get to the bottom of why edges matter!

IGNITE!

Let's break it down...

Tutorials

Critiques

Art Demos with Voiceover

Looking at Art

A Creative Community

Art Camps

Hear from an IGNITE! Member

~ Nicolette - from the Netherlands

Where are you on this art path?

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn with Gail!

READ RHONA’S STORY AND HER IGNITE! EXPERIENCE

IGNITE! Art Membership Learn Your Way

Library of Tutorials

Helpful Demos

Constructive Critiques

Fun Looking at Art

bonus Private Community

This

AMAZING BONUS

Inspiring Art Camps

Member Showcase

This could be your game changer...

I remember when I was facing failures in my own art-making.

An example of this: I’d finally gulp and go ahead and spend money on expensive materials. But then I'd use them only stingily because of the high cost. So instead of growing my knowledge and skills by painting, . I didn’t make much progress.

Or when I did paint, all I seemed to make was mud.

Until I learnt that understanding values makes all the difference!!

And although I loved colour, it was when I began to see what colour schemes had to do with anything that my work began to get better. The same thing went with composition, something I struggled with for ages. And all this roundabout learning took time!

I read books. I took classes but many instructors held back much of their expertise

I don’t want you to have to flounder like I did. I want to help you accelerate along your art path to becoming a confident and accomplished artist.

You will get there with my help and the help of our encouraging community of IGNITErs!

Here's what members have to say about IGNITE!

And Who Am I?

Let's review what's all in the membership!

Constructive Critiques

HUGE library of Tutorials

Art Demos with Voiceover that put the tutorials into action

Educational Looking at Art of the Past

BONUS

Press
Play

Increase your knowledge about the critical relationship
between value and colour