Studio Musings Archives - How to Pastel

Call yourself an artist - Gail at the easel with "Be Who You Are" on wall behind her

Do You Call Yourself An Artist?

Friday, 17 May 2024 23 Comments

Do you call yourself an artist? Or do you have trouble identifying yourself this way? Here are some ideas about why that may be.

Warm Up With A Blind Contour Drawing

Friday, 15 March 2024 7 Comments

A blind contour drawing can help get you into the art-making zone. Take time to slow down, look, then really see!

You Just Never Know Who Will Buy Your Painting

Friday, 2 February 2024 37 Comments

You just never know when a painting of yours will find its home! Gail shares a story of how a chance encounter led to a connection. And a sale.

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!

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

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 14 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