Gail Sibley, Author at How to Pastel

Gail Sibley, All Wed, Unison Colour pastels on UART 600, 12 x9 in

When Gifting a Painting Feels Like a Leap of Faith

Friday, 21 March 2025 8 Comments

Gifting a painting is personal, meaningful, and maybe a little terrifying! Discover the joys (and doubts) of giving art as a gift.

15 Minutes To Paint En Plein Air In Cayman

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.

Blog post feature image - I don't know what to paint! Man wth explosion of colour in front of hima dna big question mark.

I Don’t Know What To Paint (And Why That’s Not Really the Problem)

Friday, 21 February 2025 12 Comments

“I don’t know what to paint”—sound familiar? The real issue might not be a lack of ideas but something deeper. Let’s explore six common obstacles and how to move past them!

Gail Sibley, A spoon of Marmalade, Richeson pastels on toned Strathmore paper, 12 x 16 cm

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures…In Art

Friday, 7 February 2025 12 Comments

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!

100 Years and Still Curious – Lessons from My Friend Sandy

Friday, 31 January 2025 10 Comments

100 years of life, wisdom, and resilience—discover what my friend Sandy’s journey can teach us about making art for the long haul.

getting back to the easel - Gail Sibley, "Rufus," Unison Colour pastels on UART 500, 6 x 9 in

Getting Back To The Easel…With Rufus

Friday, 24 January 2025 10 Comments

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.

Word for the year - writing words on the wall - balance, courage, flow

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 to enjoy the warm colours of the sunset on the Villa Nobile

Taking Time in Tuscany – Sketch Your Way to Better Paintings

Friday, 6 December 2024 6 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, Lemon Harvest, 2023, pastels, 22x22 in. AVAILABLE - feature image

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.