Gain full access to exclusive behind-the-scenes videos and original line art tied to each week’s livestream, transforming every session into a complete, step-by-step class. Plus, enjoy the bonus of accessing all my online classes, past and future, to support your creative journey!

Louise Balland

“I cannot recommend Dawn enough as a teacher, the time she spends investing in our learning experience is incredible.  Her lessons are so detailed and her weekly You Tube lives have introduced a wonderful supportive community that I love being a part of.  The added bonus content as a Pastel Insider to use alongside the lives has been amazing.  Dawn has been so supportive in my creative journey always offering support and feedback, I am super grateful to be in Dawn’s community, she has raised my confidence so much and I will be forever grateful.”

Sarah Williams

I have to say I am absolutely loving Dawn's Pastel Insider and these weekly live demos are just awesome. Unlike most art instructors out there who, lets face it, are just arting while we watch, Dawn actually gives clear instruction and explains her method concisely. So thank you Dawn for taking the time to offer your insight and to cultivate a pan pastel community. Love it.

PanPastel Classes

Explore my growing collection of online soft pastel classes designed to inspire and elevate your creativity. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, there's something here for every artist. Join me on a colorful journey and unlock new possibilities in your art!

Welcome to My Art World

Hi, I’m Dawn Vander Stoep!

Art has been my passion for over two decades, but everything changed when I discovered PanPastel more than six years ago. It unlocked a whole new world for me, and now I’m excited to share that same joy and creative freedom with you.

With the loving push of my family, I started livestreaming on YouTube in February 2024—something that was definitely out of my comfort zone! But it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve found my calling in connecting with such an amazing and supportive creative community, helping others along their artistic journeys, and sharing what I love.

As a soft pastel instructor, I offer online, self-paced classes that make this beautiful medium accessible and fun for everyone. I truly believe there’s something magical about soft pastels, and I love demystifying them for others. My art is collected by people around the world, and I’m so grateful to create full-time from my home studio in Milwaukie, Oregon.

My work is all about celebrating the connection between us, the world around us, and the joy that flows through it all. With a background in Graphic Design, Digital Scrapbooking, Rubber Stamping, Altered Journaling, and Mixed Media, I bring a little bit of everything into my pastel creations, making each piece uniquely my own.

Outside of art, I love spending time in nature—gardening, hiking, traveling, and camping are some of my favorite ways to recharge. A fun fact? I have weekly gaming dates with a long-time friend, and I’m always on the lookout for a good show to binge! And, of course, I can’t forget about my studio buddy, Sunny, who’s always by my side while I create.

Whether through my YouTube livestreams, classes, or whimsical pastel paintings, my goal is simple: to inspire others to embrace their creativity and find joy in the process. I’m so excited to be on this journey with you!

Art Studio Tour

Join me for a tour of my magical art studio. I will show you where I love to create my soft pastel paintings. I enjoy bringing nature inside my studio as I've made a living wall. See my whimsical meditation space. This is a fun behind-the-scenes look at my creative life.