About
the blog for soft pastel art lovers
Inspired by my love of pastels and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about them the How to Pastel Blog has tips & tricks, reviews, step-by-step progressions, guest bloggers, and a great community on Facebook.
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A bit about me
I am very lucky to have been born and brought up in Jamaica, a land of beauty and complexity, of warmth and coolness, of vibrancy and tension. Many say that my Caribbean upbringing influenced my palette and I think they may be right. I do know that it shaped my worldview. Check out these sites to learn more about me and my work.
My Art Practice
Gail Sibley
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Art School
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Peninsula Gallery
Visit NowMost Recent Edition
Friday, 3 April 2026
8 Comments
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?
More Editions...
Painting a Night Scene – How To Do It Convincingly
Friday, 28 September 2018
Recently, when I was asked by a coaching client about painting a night scene, we went over some particulars of what goes into painting a night scene. It really comes down to paying attention to value and colour and what happens to both at this time of day. Most of the values in a night scene
Work Not Chosen For A Juried Show? This Will Help!!
Friday, 9 September 2022
“I’m crushed! I haven’t been chosen for a juried show.” This type of pronouncement by those not selected for a juried show is what a juror knows they’ll hear but that certainly doesn’t make it any easier. Recently I had the honour and anxiety of being Juror of Selection for a Society show. I say
How To Make Changes in Pastel – My Approach
Friday, 5 July 2024
You may think you need to erase to make changes in pastel but that’s not necessarily so. Gail takes you step-by-step through this painting’s evolution, making two changes along the way.
Budapest Pastel And A Lesson Learnt
Saturday, 26 September 2015
We leave Budapest in a few hours. It’s been an amazing stay of almost three weeks – the city is more than I hoped or expected. But I did learn a lesson and that is, you can’t do everything! I had planned on finishing up my online project as well as seeing the city. I had also planned, along with the daily sketches (Project
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Curious About What I’m Working On? It’s the DK Project
A couple of posts ago, I mentioned that I was working on a BIG project that was going to consume a
Using Art To Express Emotions When The World Feels Heavy
In uncertain times, picking up a brush (or pastel) might feel small. But what if that simple act could help you make sense of it all?
Do Something, Anything! Getting Started…On My Self Portrait
One of my 2018 New Year Resolutions is to PAINT MORE. I want to get in the studio and do something!
My Two Favourites from the Current IAPS show!
I have been ultra busy preparing for my show opening this Friday and so my blog writing has slipped a
Rearrange Elements In A Photo For A Better Painting
Friday, 8 April 2022
A Small Box Of Pastels – Perfect For Travelling With Carry-on Only!
Wednesday, 15 November 2017
How Breaking The Rules Can Overcome Blank Canvas Syndrome
Thursday, 30 March 2017
How To Choose Different Value Options For Thumbnails
Friday, 31 May 2024
Plein air painting on Salt Spring – A Visit to the Vineyards
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Doing The Work – The Best Thing About The 31-in-31 Challenge!
Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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6 thoughts on “About”
Gail! Just got turned on to your website by a fellow artist from Wellington, Ontario… both of us former presidents of the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada. I work primarily in pastel and it will always be my medium of choice! I could never give them up! Being a landscape artist for years, I would now like to change things up a bit and try abstract. I was inspired by your article about the progression of your abstract painting…it’s given me the courage to take that (for me) giant leap and go ahead with an image I’ve had in my mind for a long time. Thank you! I look forward to future e-mails! Your’s is one of the best Pastel websites I’ve come across. Look forward to receiving your emails.
Kathryn
Thank you for writing Kathryn, and for your enthusiasm! It comes over loud and clear 🙂 I am wondering which article on abstraction you are referring to. Perhaps you can add a comment directly on the blog? Good luck with your leap. I know how difficult it is to make. It’s ongoing risk-taking that’s for sure! Please let me know how it goes.
Look forward to hearing more from you
I just read your article in the April issue of “Pastel Journal”. Thank you so much. I felt as if you were speaking directly to me. I am going to tear it out and tape it to my studio wall.
Marcia
Marcia, that’s the best reward a writer/artist could hear!! Thank you for letting me know. (As yet, I still haven’t received my copy!)
Hi Gail. I’m really excited and pleased to have discovered your website. I live in southern Australia and I started painting with pastels a few years ago (self taught) , but went a bit stale after doing a couple of workshops- mostly because the pastel artists here who I came across seem to be very conventional and felt that I wasn’t learning much. I’ve been working in oils since and enjoyed it- as I’ve realised, it’s similar in many ways. You showcase so many exciting works – use of colour, composition etc. , and your quick tips are helping me rethink how to approach my work. Looking forward to hearing more about your workshop in Tasmania, or perhaps one in Europe in a couple of years’ time.
Hi Judi,
Thanks for writing such a lovely introduction to yourself and your work. Certainly oils are similar to pastels in the way one builds a painting. Interesting that! I’m glad though that my blog may bring you back to the pastel side 😀 Even if not, so much of what’s here can be applied to the other media available for painting.
I look forward to having you in one of my workshops whether in Tasmania or Europe!!