Likeness and Life: Portrait Masterclass in Colored Pencil
by Barbara Dahlstedt
September 18-20, 2026 | Friday- Sunday | 10 am – 3 pm
Medium: Colored Pencil
Experience: All levels of experience are welcome.
Materials: Click the Materials List tab above for a list of supplies students need to bring with them.
Registration: Each student must enroll individually. Click the Cancellation Policy tab above for more info.
Location: Sedona Arts Center, Theatre Studio.
Join award-winning artist Barbara Dahlstedt for an in-depth exploration of portraiture in colored pencil. This masterclass is designed to demystify the human face, guiding students through a thoughtful progression of exercises that transform uncertainty into confidence.
With an emphasis on light, subtle color transitions, and sensitive mark-making, students will learn to capture not just a likeness, but the presence of a person. Individual features—eyes, nose, mouth, hair, and skin tones—are studied during the first two days, culminating in a full portrait on day three.
Students may work from provided reference photo or bring a personal color photograph to inspire their final piece. All of the drawing paper will be provided by the instructor.
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Barbara Dahlstedt
Barbara is an award-winning, Signature member of the Colored Pencil Society of America and American Women Artists. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Arizona State University and has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. After enjoying a twenty-six-year career teaching high school art, Barbara continues to share her passion for art through teaching workshops and online classes. Her drawings have won top awards in many local and international competitions and can be found in several publications including International Artists Magazine, Artists Magazine, Art Collector, Strokes of Genius, and Colored Pencil Magazine.
Materials List
Colored Pencils (Prismacolor Premier brand preferred): Black, Beige, Peach Beige, White, Light Peach, Peach Nectar, Henna, Mineral Orange, Goldenrod, Beige Sienna, Burnt Ochre, Chestnut, Light Umber, 30% Warm Grey, Sepia, Chocolate, Dark Umber, Black Raspberry, Carmine Red, Crimson Lake, Canary Yellow, Olive Green, and True Blue.
Other items:
Erasers (Kneaded and vinyl)
Graphite Pencil
Blending Stump (#4)
Ballpoint Pen (A color other than black preferred)
Pencil Sharpener
Circle Template
Masking Tape
*All of the drawing paper will be provided by the instructor.
Cancellation Policy
Registration
Each student must enroll individually.
Students may register online or by calling the Sedona Arts Center’s Administrative Offices at 928-282-3809, ext. 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours, Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
In-Person and Online Workshops
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a $125 Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before September 10, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after September 10, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full
Important Message
The Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless the Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
Diane
This was only my second workshop, and when I looked at the pictures that we were going to be doing, I was a bit intimidated. But Barbara is such a fantastic teacher and so well organized and supportive, it ended up being a very relaxing and productive experience.
Wendy
"One of the kindest and genuine people you will ever meet."
