Join me as I share the progression of a pastel nocturne — from thumbnail and charcoal block-in to layered colour and deepening night with glowing light — along with the thinking behind each stage.
When an artist turns her gaze towards fire, something magical happens. In this guest post, Beth Tockey Williams shares how she captures the flicker, glow, and elusive dance of flames in pastel — from the first spark to the final trail of smoke.
Imagine painting surrounded by olive trees, the scent of sea air, and the sounds of laughter over dinner. That’s exactly what our Corfu art retreat offered — an unforgettable mix of plein air painting, friendship, and artistic courage. Join me as I share the magic, the moments, and the paintings from our week together in Greece.
Ever told yourself there’s just no time to paint? It’s easy to think that but a few snatched sessions in a tiny Greek village reminded me of what’s possible. In this post, I share three quick plein air paintings each created in well under an hour, how thumbnails made it happen, and why even short bursts at the easel can bring so much joy.
While in Athens after teaching in Corfu, I watched the Evzones perform the changing of the guard — a ritual of grace, symbolism, and history. It made me reflect on how beauty can carry deeper stories, both in ceremony and in art. Sometimes, it’s what lies beneath the surface — the quiet meaning, whether intended or found — that gives a piece its lasting resonance.
When artist Terrilynn Dubreuil lost her mother, she turned to her pastels to make sense of the grief. In this moving story, she shares how painting became both tribute and transformation — revealing the profound power of art to heal and express what words cannot.
At my last workshop, someone leaned in, all secretive, and whispered: “I don’t want to share my paintings until they’re… you
Pastels, breakthroughs, and a whole lot of bold moves — here’s what went down at this Northwest Pastel Society workshop.
While in Athens after teaching in Corfu, I watched the Evzones perform the changing of the guard — a ritual of grace, symbolism, and history. It made me reflect on how beauty can carry deeper stories, both in ceremony and in art. Sometimes, it’s what lies beneath the surface — the quiet meaning, whether intended or found — that gives a piece its lasting resonance.
When artist Terrilynn Dubreuil lost her mother, she turned to her pastels to make sense of the grief. In this moving story, she shares how painting became both tribute and transformation — revealing the profound power of art to heal and express what words cannot.
At my last workshop, someone leaned in, all secretive, and whispered: “I don’t want to share my paintings until they’re… you know… perfect.” And I had to laugh — in a nice way but also with a raised eyebrow — because if we waited for perfect, the world would never see our art. Here’s the
Join me as I share the progression of a pastel nocturne — from thumbnail and charcoal block-in to layered colour and deepening night with glowing light — along with the thinking behind each stage.
When an artist turns her gaze towards fire, something magical happens. In this guest post, Beth Tockey Williams shares how she captures the flicker, glow, and elusive dance of flames in pastel — from the first spark to the final trail of smoke.
Imagine painting surrounded by olive trees, the scent of sea air, and the sounds of laughter over dinner. That’s exactly what our Corfu art retreat offered — an unforgettable mix of plein air painting, friendship, and artistic courage. Join me as I share the magic, the moments, and the paintings from our week together in Greece.
Ever told yourself there’s just no time to paint? It’s easy to think that but a few snatched sessions in a tiny Greek village reminded me of what’s possible. In this post, I share three quick plein air paintings each created in well under an hour, how thumbnails made it happen, and why even short bursts at the easel can bring so much joy.
Pastels, breakthroughs, and a whole lot of bold moves — here’s what went down at this Northwest Pastel Society workshop.
Plein air painting with my Mum led to two paintings of one scene — and one powerful lesson about how thumbnails bring freedom to your art.
A light plein air painting trip with no easel and no grand plans—just five scenes, painted in the moment, with whatever was at hand.
Cory Goulet dives into her process of intuitive abstraction, where bold marks, colour, and courage meet discipline and practice. Discover how she balances chaos and harmony, lets intuition lead, and creates work that is both spontaneous and deeply intentional.
What makes something art—and when is it just kitsch? A curious studio musing sparked by a rock, a sister, and a few inconvenient questions.
![Gail Sibley, [Not yet titled], Unison Colour pastels and a Sennelier pink on UART 400 mounted on board, 15 1/4 x 11 1/2 in -close up of face](https://www.howtopastel.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/11.-Gail-Sibley-Not-yet-titled-Unison-Colour-pastels-and-a-SEnnelier-pink-on-UART-400-mounted-on-board-15-14-x-11-15-in-close-up-of-face-Feature-image.jpg)
Explore each stage of this pastel painting and learn about the woman who sparked its creation.
In this guest post, Kira Ru-djen pulls back the curtain on her pastel practice — from blind sketches to bold colour and skeletal forms full of character. Whether painting figures, landscapes, or her beloved “skelebuddies,” her process reveals the deep connection between improvisation, intention, and joy.
I hadn’t been plein air painting in a while, but a spontaneous afternoon with my Mum reminded me why I love it. This post isn’t about masterpieces—it’s about showing up, painting what’s in front of you (even if it’s bins!), and rediscovering the joy of simply doing.
Discover how to use a mahlstick for pastel painting—what it is, how to make one, and why this old-school tool is still a game-changer.
Guest Susan Kuznitsky shares how she approaches complex subjects in pastel—from crowded café interiors to a crowd of grandchildren (yes, really!). Through years of experience, she’s learned how to simplify without sacrificing richness, and how to suggest detail without overworking it. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too much going on in a scene, this is the read that’ll help!
We’ve all had those moments — when something finally clicks and everything shifts. I just returned from teaching three workshops filled with those lightbulb breakthroughs. Come see what sparked them — and maybe you’ll recognise something in your own art journey too.
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?
Colette Odya Smith shares honest, inspiring lessons from her own art journey—full of growth, reinvention, and being your own teacher.
In Spring Landscape, Robert Frederick Blum shows how to use paper colour, subtle values, and gestural pastel strokes to create a glowing springtime scene.
The election of a new Pope in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangel’s ceiling invites reflection on artistic tradition—and how we, as artists, carry it forward in fresh and personal ways.
A playful pastel demo turned into a surprising lesson on moving toward abstraction. Learn the simple process, see the studies, and discover tips to loosen up your art.
If you believe in a piece, keep sharing it — the right person will find it. Trust the journey, keep your art visible. Sometimes, connection just takes patience and time.
Using charcoal in a pastel painting? It might be just what you need. See how I rescued a piece with this soft and surprising solution.
Comparison can steal your joy, drain your creativity, and make you want to quit. But what if you could turn it into a tool for growth instead of a roadblock? Instead of letting comparison shut you down, learn how to flip it into insight, motivation, and creative momentum. Here’s how to make it work for you—not against you.
Suzanne Godbout shares her still life painting process, inspiration, and pastel techniques for capturing light, texture, and emotion from life.
Gifting a painting is personal, meaningful, and maybe a little terrifying! Discover the joys (and doubts) of giving art as a gift.
There are so many ways to be artistic, and no one way is better. I believe, that art is a journey that we can all take, and that being creative is something that is healthy and possible for anyone.
In the How to Pastel Blog I let my love and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about pastels inspire and encourage others to explore the art form. The blog has tips, reviews, guests, and all manner of information about pastel use through the years – old and new.
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