Lyn Diefenbach is a realist oil and pastel artist. She’s a master of light and movement, using color, texture and lively drama to convey action and liveliness in her work. 

Her florals are vibrant with color and life, and her seascapes are rife with motion and drama. 

The pursuit of masterly quality and technique is a high priority for her, she says. For her, the aim is to fill the work with “a celebration of her faith and of life.”  Her paintings in pastel and oil cover a myriad of subject matter with her bold florals consistently receiving accolades nationally and internationally. Her ability to communicate her ideas has elevated her as a respected and sought-after tutor, with teaching engagements internationally.
Lyn works quickly, with a deft touch, with an eye toward dynamic composition and bold intensity. 

She speeds up the process even more by working with an underpainting. This she can lay down, using the base colors, in about five minutes. 

She uses then brushes and medium to “fluff around” and spread the pastel across the page, the way a watercolorist would do. 

In conversation with Eric Rhoads on Art School Live, Lyn gives a free demonstration of her technique in this video.

Lyn is on the faculty of our next online art conference, Pastel Live taking place September 17-19, 2025 with an Essential Techniques Day on September 16.

Lyn is also known for the popular instructional video, “Floral Secrets: A Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Luminous, Lifelike Flowers in Pastel,” available at PaintTube.tv.

Lyn Diefenbach, “Light Play,” pastel on paper, 18 x 30 in.

About Lyn Diefenbach:

A professional artist for more than 30 years, Lyn has had many sell-out solo shows and has been featured in a host of international and national exhibitions. Her reputation on the international stage saw her invited to demonstrate at the 100 Years of Pastelling in China celebrations – one of only 6 international guest artists to be so honored. An ever-increasing number of invitations to judge competitions (including the floral and still life portion of the Pastel Journal’s 2022 Pastel 100 competition) is a testament to her skills and reputation.

Her paintings cover a myriad of subject matter, including portraits, seascapes, still life, and florals, all of which consistently receive accolades and awards across the globe. The pursuit of masterly quality and technique is a high priority for Lyn, whose work is imbued with a lifetime of practice and is a celebration of her faith and of life.

About Pastel Live:

To have 25 of today’s best artists show you exactly what they do to succeed will make Pastel Live THE most important 3 days you’ll ever invest in yourself and in your art.

These artists will freely offer wisdom and insights that have allowed them to rise to the top, garner respect and recognition, and build successful art careers in the world of pastel painting.

You’ll be astonished to find that, in just 3 days, you’ll know what to do to get your art noticed, displayed, and sold.

Lyn Diefenbach, “Glorious,” pastel on paper, 14 x 14 in.

Pastel Live encompasses it all — from expert art instruction to career-level strategies and advice. Just what you need to live your dream! Join us and save your spot at PastelLive.com.