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, 14 March 2025
8 Comments
15 minutes to paint? Yes, it’s possible! See how I skipped my usual thumbnail sketch (!), grabbed my pastels, and made the most of a fleeting plein air moment.
More Editions...
High Key Painting – What IS That??
Friday, 10 October 2014
I’ve just uploaded a video about high key painting and what it means. Have a look and let me know what you think. Here’s the set up I was painting. You can see the beige paper behind the daisies that I reference in the video. If you squint, you can see that the centre of
You only need a few good pastels!
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
Some students will show up to class with a large package of cheap pastels ignoring my supply list request to bring good pastels even if it means only bringing a dozen. I know quality pastels are expensive but you get what you pay for and cheap pastels will mean unsatisfactory results! Start with a small
Bernadette deCesare: Eyes of Realism, Heart of Abstraction
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
I came across the work of Bernadette deCesare a couple of years ago and have featured her pieces twice in my Monthly RoundUp blogs – in Feb 2015 and then a year later. I’m fascinated by every piece I see of hers and so it made complete sense to invite her to guest blog. And
What’s a Low Key Painting?
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Talking about a low key painting seems appropriate at this, the darkest time of the year (in the northern hemisphere anyway!). So what is a low key painting? It’s one in which most of the colours are predominantly dark in value and often subdued (i.e. not bright colours). I’ve just uploaded a video of me demoing a low key painting. Have a look:
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Remarkable Pastels From August
Whaaaaaaat? Another month gone by and that must mean it’s time for another round-up of remarkable pastels! Interestingly, most of these
July’s 10 Uncommon Pastel Paintings
We are well into August but still not too late for my roundup of ten uncommon pastel paintings selected from all
How Breaking The Rules Can Overcome Blank Canvas Syndrome
I’m back in my studio after a wee getaway to Seattle and then Salt Spring Island. The DK Project is pretty
Margaret Evans gives some workshop supply advice
When I was at IAPS this year, I met Margaret Evans for the first time. I knew that she was a
How To Choose Different Value Options For Thumbnails
Friday, 31 May 2024
A country road in Jamaica painted in pastel
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Working in a Series – Unlocking Creative Potential for Artistic Growth
Friday, 1 September 2023
Simplifying a Scene – How To Focus On What Matters Most
Friday, 6 September 2024
Beach Towels On The Clothesline – My Mexico Painting
Thursday, 25 April 2019
Pastel To Paper – That’s What’s Important!
Thursday, 13 September 2018
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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!!