Getting Back To The Easel…With Rufus
Friday, 24 January 2025
Getting back to the easel after a long break can feel daunting, but painting Rufus, a dog commission, was just the spark I needed to get me painting again.
How to Pastel
the blog for soft pastel art lovers
Latest Edition
Recent Guest Artists
Allison Krajcik – Getting That Inner Glow
Friday, 23 February 2024
Guest Allison Krajcik takes on a journey from watercolour to pastel in her search to capture the inner glow of flowers and seed pods.
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.
Laura Mocnik – Intuitive Colour, Precise Draughtsmanship
Friday, 14 June 2024
Guest Laura Mocnik shares her process in creating her stunning figurative works. Although drawing is foundational, you’ll see that she uses a limited palette of colour intuitively
Favourite Tutorials
Find Something To Paint En Plein Air Every Time!
Friday, 24 March 2023
Simplifying a Scene – How To Focus On What Matters Most
Friday, 6 September 2024
My Painting Is Finished! Or Is It?
Friday, 7 October 2022
Is This Plein Air Pastel Finished?
Monday, 11 January 2016
Notes from readers:
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Lynda
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"I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts, from sharing your own work & process to the wonderful artists you feature! I always come away inspired!"
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"... 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.
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Recent Editions
Your Word For The Year (Choose It And Put It Into Action)
Friday, 20 December 2024
14 Comments
Discover how choosing a word for the year can inspire your art-making, fuel your creativity, and guide your goals all year long.
10 Must-Have Art Books from 2024
Friday, 13 December 2024
2 Comments
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!
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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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