Let me take you on an exciting journey to explore the unlimited possibilities of creating with PanPastel!

In this immersive workshop, The Celtic Guardian: A PanPastel Creative Journey, you’ll bring your own Celtic Guardian to life—an owl infused with symbolism, wisdom, and artistic inspiration. Rooted in the mystical beauty of Ireland, This retreat invites you to explore the creative possibilities of Celtic symbolism, incorporating meaningful elements into your artwork while drawing inspiration from the owl’s deep association with wisdom and intuition. I’ll share the creative process I’ve developed over seven years of working with this remarkable medium, guiding you through essential steps to unlock your creativity through simplified composition, value, color, and layering. My goal is to demystify soft pastels, helping you feel confident, inspired, and ready to embrace your artistic voice long after the retreat ends.

Skills You Will Explore

This workshop offers a unique combination of demonstration and hands-on instruction. I will guide you step by step, sharing techniques and insights to help you discover your creative voice. Here’s what you can expect:

PanPastel Essentials — Learn how the medium works, how to mix colors effectively, and how to use the tools for smooth, expressive application.
Supplies That Inspire — Discover the importance of high-quality materials to ensure a positive and enjoyable experience.
Simplified Composition — Learn how to use composition as a guide to making creative decisions with ease.
Abstract & Whimsical Mark-Making — Experience the freedom of blending structure with abstraction to create unique artwork. Discover the synergy of incorporating pastel pencils to add intricate details and expressive marks, elevating your creative possibilities.
The Power of Value — Understand how working with light and dark can transform your paintings into something truly dynamic.
Layering & Color Harmony — Build depth while learning techniques to create cohesive and harmonious color palettes.

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Join Us in Mulranny

A Creative Process Designed for Play & Exploration

I will be demonstrating the techniques above and guiding you through the step-by-step process of creating your own Celtic Muse using PanPastel and pastel pencils. We’ll begin with a warm-up value exercise, using black PanPastel to explore a versatile technique for creating depth and contrast with a simple Celtic symbol—a perfect introduction to understanding value and composition before moving into color.

Next, we’ll dive into abstract exploration, embracing playful, intuitive mark-making and infusing the rich, vibrant colors of Ireland’s landscape. This process will help you loosen up, connect with the medium, and build confidence in expressive, dynamic artwork.

From there, you’ll bring your Celtic Muse to life, starting with a provided line drawing, as I guide you through my creative process step by step, breaking it down in a way that feels natural and approachable.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a solid understanding of PanPastel techniques, a toolbox of creative approaches to continue exploring at home, and the confidence to embrace your artistic journey with inspiration from your very own Celtic Muse.

Join Us in Mulranny

About Dawn Vander Stoep

Dawn Vander Stoep is a professional soft pastel artist and instructor with over two decades of artistic experience.

Over seven years ago, she discovered the transformative possibilities of PanPastel, a medium that revolutionized her creative journey. Today, she is passionate about sharing this magical medium with artists of all levels, helping them unlock their creative potential and build confidence in their work.

As the creator of a thriving YouTube livestream channel, Dawn has cultivated a positive and supportive community of artists worldwide. Her teaching style focuses on demystifying soft pastels through approachable techniques, step-by-step instruction, and a deep understanding of the creative process. Through her self-paced online classes and workshops, Dawn strives to make art accessible, fun, and empowering.

Dawn’s artwork celebrates connection, harmony, and the beauty of light and color. Her professional background in Graphic Design, Mixed Media, and other creative disciplines influences her unique approach to PanPastel, blending structure, abstraction, and expressive mark-making to inspire students to explore their own artistic voices.

As a full-time artist based in Milwaukie, Oregon, Dawn’s work is collected internationally, and her teaching continues to inspire and support artists on their creative journeys.

From all of us here at EOM

You are warmly invited to stay a while.

We invite you to imagine standing on the panoramic hillside of our studio, taking in the spectacular views of Clew bay and Croagh Patrick (Ireland’s holy mountain).

Open your heart to the profoundly moving drama of constantly shifting Atlantic skies, reflecting an ever changing light show on the bay. The wildness and drama of this spectacular area belie the peace and connection you will feel to Ireland and to this very special place.

Lay on a blanket in the heather and watch the stars emerge on a clear night or walk along the rocky shores, to gather shells, driftwood and memories. Find yourself letting go of the stress of everyday life, feel the mystery and beauty of this land, awakening your senses.

This unspoiled place provide a safe place of inspiration and experimentation to stretch your skills in whatever medium you are working on, in an amazing state of the art studio..

Secure Your Spot

Join us in Mulranny, Ireland.

Dream about the history of past times, evident in every field with old stone walls, every stoic castle and each abandoned cottage.

Local Villages

Meet the local people, warm, friendly and always happy to chat and share a story or a cup of tea. While you're here, take some time to explore the charming village of Westport, where you can shop at the quaint stores and perhaps stop by a local pub or two.

Connect with Nature

Finding something to inspire you is not hard with the richness of the various eco systems surrounding Mulranny - from marine to mountain landscapes, with grasslands, bog and heather hills - this enchanted land casts a spell on any artist.

Enriching Excursions

Visit historic sites. Learn about the infamous Irish Pirate Queen and visit one of her many castles. Hear the story of our Stone Age ancestors and experience the myths and magic of Irelands spiritual roots while standing in one of the ancient stone circles. This is indeed a land of legends!

Find Your Inspiration

Make sure to pack your camera and sketchbooks because you're about to embark on a journey that will capture your heart and fill your mind with boundless inspiration. Prepare to be swept away by the sights, sounds, and stories that make this place truly magical.

Your Time with Dawn at EOM

Your 8 days will be a beautiful blend of studio time, delightful excursions, cultural experiences and of course, plenty of free time to rest and explore!

You can arrive, unpack your suitcase (and your art supplies) and truly relax, at the gorgeous Essence of Mulranny Retreat center, operated by yours truly. We will be visiting enchanting villages, strolling along the beautiful coastline, touring ancient castles and ruins, picnicking in the heather fields and creating all along the way! The creative inspiration will be all around you!

Join Us in Mulranny

Your general itinerary for your time in this magical place.

There may be a few changes here and there, depending on weather usually but we will let you know.

We will collect you all at Westport Train station at 4pm and whisk you away to Mulranny, about 30 mins drive. After a champagne reception, we will gather for dinner and sharing and get you settled in to your rooms at EOM or DeBrun house.
The MAC studio will be open from 9am to 8pm and is a short walk from the residence areas Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.
We will serve lunch at 1pm each studio day at the MAC.
This day is an all day trip to Achill Island. Lunch will be at a lovely little restaurant (your expense)
Dinner will be served back at EOM.
Class will be from 9:30am to 4pm.and dinner will be at a lovely little pub in the Village (included)
We often have a special entertainment on this evening but it depends on availability. We will let you know.
1⁄2 Studio day and a trip to local attractions including Westport and the Old Irish Goat center. Dinner will be at the Famous Nevins restaurant (your expense).
1/2 Studio day and finishing up work. Delicious dinner with wine and sharing.
The bus will take you to Westport train station for a 9:45 departure to Dublin or the Galway bus.

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Your home for the week.

This beautiful learning center is complete with well equipped mixed media/encaustic art studio, private bedrooms, a cozy gathering room with fireplace and group kitchen for those midnight snacks!

All meals will be included and prepared by an on-site private chef and will focus on delicious, healthy cuisine. For larger groups we house students in the village, in apartments with spectacular views.

Join Us in Mulranny

June 22nd - 30th, 2026