Gail Sibley, Author at How to Pastel

29 Days, 29 Paintings -The Daily Painting Challenge

Friday, 26 January 2024 14 Comments

This February (it has 29 days!) let’s jump into a Daily Painting Challenge. It’s a great way to kickstart the New Year!

Creating thumbnails en plein air - thumbnails and painting of washing machine

Creating Thumbnails En Plein Air (My Mexico Paintings)

Friday, 19 January 2024 6 Comments

Gail shares why she can’t live without these tiny companions even when racing the clock on location.

Create momentum - Gail setting up to paint in La Manzanilla

Create Momentum By Starting (My Mexico Experience!)

Friday, 12 January 2024 10 Comments

The best way to jumpstart your art practice is to create momentum. Gail shares how she learnt this lesson on a trip to La Manzanilla, Mexico

Philippine Pastel Artists – Recipient Of An IAPS 2023 Global Society Grant

Friday, 5 January 2024 8 Comments

Philippine Pastel Artists was one of the recipients of the IAPS 2023 Global Society Grants. Let’s find out more about them!

Hidden beauty: Gail Sibley, "The Red Bowl," Unison Colour pastels on UART paper, plein air painting

The Hidden Beauty In The Mundane

Friday, 22 December 2023 16 Comments

As I was reminded recently by a dear friend, as artists, we possess a unique gift—the ability to perceive the extraordinary within the ordinary, to see the hidden beauty that can lie in the mundane fabric of our existence. Then in our creations, we reveal to others the light and colour we’ve seen, offering glimpses

Nicolette van Dam, V. Violets, 22 October 2023, Schmincke pastels on Canson Mi-Teintes Touch, 6 x 12 in.

Nicolette van Dam-Through the Looking Glass!

Friday, 8 December 2023 52 Comments

During our recent 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge, Nicolette van Dam charmed us all with her paintings based on the alphabet and the Alice in Wonderland books.

Your Art Has Value! 6 Points To Consider

Friday, 1 December 2023 30 Comments

Time to brush off those money taboos. Join me as we redefine the relationship between art and the currency it deserves.

Big shapes - Gail Sibley, “Tuscan View with Vineyard,” Unison Colour pastels on UART 320, 6 x 6 in. First layer

Paint The BIG Shapes First

Friday, 24 November 2023 20 Comments

Painting the big shapes first establishes the composition and value pattern. Big shapes give your work an underlying strength. Let’s look at five examples!

David Shkolny, Ascent, 2018, Unison Colour and Terry Ludwig on Wallis Belgian Mist paper, 9 x 12. Sold. - feature image

David Shkolny – Laser Focused In The Landscape

Friday, 17 November 2023 38 Comments

From the importance of a balanced pressure in pastel strokes to the significance of unexpected textures, David Shkolny unveils how he captures the essence of the landscape

Letting Go Of The Outcome

Friday, 10 November 2023 18 Comments

Letting go of the outcome of a painting can free you up to take risks. Basically, this mindset gives you creative freedom! Ruminations following the month of 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge.