Don’t Know What to Paint? Paint Another Pear
“I don’t know what to paint.” It’s one of the most common frustrations artists face. Sometimes the answer isn’t finding a more exciting subject – it’s discovering how much one simple object can teach you. Here’s why I keep coming back to pears.
Entering art competitions can be exciting, daunting, and deeply personal. In this guest post, Michael Freeman shares thoughtful, experience-based insights into navigating the competitions landscape — from deciding whether competitions are right for you, to improving your chances of acceptance, and handling disappointment when things don’t go your way. Grounded, honest, and practical, his reflections help artists approach competitions with clarity, resilience, and a stronger sense of self.
When I heard about David Hockney’s bedside note, I smiled. Then I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Why would one of the world’s most prolific artists need a reminder to get up and work? The more I sat with that question, the more I realised the note wasn’t about motivation at all. It was about something much deeper.
Home from the 2026 IAPS Convention in Albuquerque, I’m reflecting on what artists really bring back from a gathering like this: not just notes, photos, and supplies, but widened eyes, renewed energy, deeper connection, and inspiration that keeps seeping into the studio.
Students often assume tiny marks need tiny tools. In this pastel portrait progression, I show how big, chunky pastel sticks can create delicate details — from shaping the face to adjusting an eye near the end.
People often assume my artistic talent was inherited. After all, my grandfather, mother, and father were all artists. But the more I think about it, the more complicated the story becomes. Is artistic talent inherited? Or do we inherit something less obvious – permission, encouragement, curiosity, and a belief that creativity matters? In this post, I explore the question and invite you to weigh in.
Surrounded by lush mountains, tropical flowers, and sparkling Costa Rican views, I chose to paint…a bathroom. Follow the progression of A Slice of Blue Loo and discover why the subjects that seem ordinary, odd, or unexpected may be exactly the ones worth trusting.
Have you ever felt a creative dream quietly waiting in the background? Pastel artist Tim Blackwell shares his return to art, his love of rural scenes, and why he paints from “Heart Speak” rather than “Art Speak.”
Lush scenery, painting, laughter, delicious food, and the joy of stepping outside ordinary life for a while — here’s what made our Costa Rica retreat so memorable.
You want to paint. You mean to paint. And yet somehow you still do not get into the studio. So what’s really going on?
Do you need an art studio in order to paint regularly? Perhaps the better question is: what makes a space support your return to the work?
My love of pastel and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastel inspired the creation of this blog. It has tips, reviews, some opinions:), and all manner of information regarding their use through the years – old and new. Please enjoy!
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![Gail Sibley, [Not yet titled], Unison Colour pastels and a Sennelier pink on UART 400 mounted on board, 15 1/4 x 11 1/2 in -close up of face](https://www.howtopastel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11.-Gail-Sibley-Not-yet-titled-Unison-Colour-pastels-and-a-SEnnelier-pink-on-UART-400-mounted-on-board-15-14-x-11-15-in-close-up-of-face-Feature-image-150x150.jpg)
