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, 8 May 2026
2 Comments
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.
More Editions...
Seeing Colour In Greys – “Sipping Patrón”
Thursday, 3 February 2022
If you know me, you know I LOVE colour! I love painting with bright colours and then, when needed, layering pastels to create greys. This de-intensifies the saturated colours. Seeing colours in greys can sometimes be tricky. It all just looks grey! With time, deep looking, and the tips below, you’ll see the colour that’s
The Secrets To A Good Composition – 20 Masters Share!
Saturday, 11 January 2020
Good composition. A simple idea yet not so simple to create a strong and effective one! Through my years developing as an artist, creating a good composition was definitely one of the things that I struggled with most. Even though I knew the theory and elements around composition, I still found it difficult to apply
Pastel Gems: October’s Round-Up!
Friday, 31 October 2014
At the end of last month, I posted the first of these ‘pastel gems’ blogs. It was a very informal, totally personal selection of pastel gems that came across my computer screen through the month of September. It was so well received, I’ve decided to make it a monthly feature. Last time I said I
DK’s Book – Artist’s Drawing Techniques – It’s Here!
Thursday, 3 August 2017
The postman delivered a very special package yesterday – two brand new, hot-off-the-press copies of DK’s Artist’s Drawing Techniques. The pastel section of this book is filled with my pastel paintings as well as my words about the techniques and about my beliefs around working in pastels. Before reading further, refresh your memory about this project by clicking here to read my blog
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Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures…In Art
Stranded in a snowstorm without my usual art supplies, I had to get creative. A handful of pastels, a sketchbook, and some quick thinking led to an unexpected artistic experiment!
That Nostalgic Feeling – The One Pump In Winnaleah, Tasmania
In Tasmania to teach a 10-day Art Retreat, I had a couple of days on my own. The view across the road had such a nostalgic feeling that I had to paint it. Here’s the progression of the pastel painting.
Alex Louisa – Nature In PanPastels
PanPastels. This is a medium I’m not familiar with. Since I’ve had a number of people ask me for information on
Damilola Opedun – Up and Coming Nigerian Pastellist
Today, the 25th of October, is International Artists Day and in recognition of the day and to honour its mandate (“To
15 Minutes To Paint En Plein Air In Cayman
Friday, 14 March 2025
Is This Plein Air Pastel Finished?
Monday, 11 January 2016
A new pastel demo video! Holly and Negative Space
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Find Something To Paint En Plein Air Every Time!
Friday, 24 March 2023
Tips On Painting An Overcast Day
Tuesday, 15 May 2018
This Painting Was Finished Before I Knew It!
Sunday, 27 April 2014
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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!!