Your Word For The Year (Choose It And Put It Into Action)
Friday, 20 December 2024
Discover how choosing a word for the year can inspire your art-making, fuel your creativity, and guide your goals all year long.
How to Pastel
the blog for soft pastel art lovers
Latest Edition
Recent Guest Artists
IAPS 2024: Eight Exclusive Artist Interviews!
Friday, 12 July 2024
Join me as I chat with eight incredible pastel artists at the IAPS 2024 Convention.
Jane McGraw-Teubner – Plein Air Versus Studio Painting
Friday, 19 July 2024
Jane McGraw-Teubner is a master plein air artist. Here, she shares her process and tips for painting from life versus painting from a photo.
Mark Ivan Cole – Deep Observation and Emotional Realism
Friday, 23 August 2024
Join guest Mark Ivan Cole as he shares his wisdom and his works of forest, mountains, rocks, and water.
Favourite Tutorials
The Making Of “Black Hats” – From Concept To IAPS Exhibition
Friday, 31 March 2023
Pushing Colour-How To Make Your Bland Photo Into A Bold Painting
Friday, 12 February 2021
En Plein Air At The Old Creamery, Salt Spring Island
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Beach Towels On The Clothesline – My Mexico Painting
Thursday, 25 April 2019
Notes from readers:
"...I am truly grateful for the work put into this newsletter. The content is always inspiring and helpful in my own journey with pastels...Thanks Gail for all your work!"
Lynda
" ...always inspiring and helpful in my own journey with pastels..."
"I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, from sharing your own work & process to the wonderful artists you feature! I always come away inspired!"
Beth K
"...Your spirit comes through your own love of the artists you highlight. Love this site so much."
"... when I see your email in my in-box, I feel excitement and joy that I can see and read about my own love of pastel painting through yours and your wonderfully-presented artists and work.
Your spirit comes through your own love of the artists you highlight. Love this site so much.
Anita L. B.
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Recent Editions
10 Must-Have Art Books from 2024
Friday, 13 December 2024
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I’m often asked for book recommendations so here’s my list of 10 must-have art books I enjoyed in 2024.
Taking Time in Tuscany – Sketch Your Way to Better Paintings
Friday, 6 December 2024
4 Comments
Discover how sketching in Tuscany, instead of relying on photos, helped my students create vibrant, emotive paintings that went far beyond what photos could capture.
Marie Tippets – No Hidden Meanings, Just Magic
Friday, 22 November 2024
6 Comments
Marie Tippets explores the beauty of still life art, revealing how simplicity and clear storytelling can transform ordinary subjects into captivating masterpieces.
You Need Bad Paintings to Make Great Ones
Friday, 8 November 2024
4 Comments
Bad paintings. We always want to avoid doing them and yet, we need the bad ones to get to the good ones, the ones where we make a breakthrough!
How I Fly With Pastels
Friday, 25 October 2024
12 Comments
Fly with pastels and streamline your supplies—see what I pack, why I pack it, and how I make it through airport security stress-free!
Susan Ellis – The Art of Clamming
Friday, 18 October 2024
26 Comments
Artist Susan Ellis paints the clammers of coastal Massachusetts. She shares her process and her love of painting these figures working in the mud.
Gratitude and the Search for a New Virtual Assistant
Friday, 11 October 2024
4 Comments
Finding a new Virtual Assistant didn’t go as planned… but here’s why I’m still grateful.
From Snapshot to Painting
Friday, 4 October 2024
4 Comments
Discover how a simple snapshot, even from a moving vehicle, can spark an inspiring painting, as I show you how to ‘see’ the potential hidden in those quick photos!
Julie Freeman – Infusing Life into Every Detail
Friday, 27 September 2024
12 Comments
Julie Freeman, hyperrealist in soft pastels, shares her work and process as well as the evolution of her artist identity and creative expression.
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Gail Sibley
Artist. Blogger. Teacher.
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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