Pastels 101 - The Ultimate Soft Pastel Online Course

Feature image and image in blog. Gail Sibley, The Pink Bench, Unison Colour on Pastel Premier Italian Clay, 6 1/2 x 5 3/4 in - different value options

How To Choose Different Value Options For Thumbnails

Friday, 31 May 2024

We’re often told to try different value options when creating thumbnails of a subject. But how do we do that? Gail spills the beans!

Michele Noiset, Iron Maiden, 2022, Nupastel, Rembrandt, Sennelier, Terry Ludwig, Derwent pencils, Faber Castell pencils on Black UART paper, 16x17 in.

Michele Noiset – Exploring Visual Metaphors In Pastel

Friday, 24 May 2024

Guest artist Michele Noiset works in the medium of pastel to create extraordinary images inspired by events and current issues

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

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

Mary Cassatt – After The Bath

Friday, 10 May 2024

In honour of Mother’s day, a close look at “After the Bath,” a painting of a mother and her children by Mary Cassatt. We take a close look at this glorious painting!

Gail Sibley, One Pump, Unison Colour pastels on UART paper, 9 x 12 in

That Nostalgic Feeling – The One Pump In Winnaleah, Tasmania

Friday, 3 May 2024

In Tasmania to teach a 10-day Art Retreat, I had a couple of days on my own. The view across the road had such a nostalgic feeling that I had to paint it. Here’s the progression of the pastel painting.

Gail Sibley, "Abandoned for Lunch," Unison Colour pastels on UART 400 paper, approx 5 x 7 in.

Inspired By My Students At Tasmania Art Retreat

Friday, 26 April 2024

Being inspired by my students and their art-making is one of the reasons I love to teach. Seeing their breakthroughs is such a reward! Here, I showcase some of their work.

A Portrait by Laura Anning Bell in Tate Britain

Friday, 29 March 2024

We dive deep into the details of this portrait by artist Laura Anning Bell. Located in Tate Britain, it’s believed to be a depiction of Annie Horniman, a pioneer of the repertory theatre.

Julie Grieg - The Feeling Of Being There - feature image

Julie Greig – The Feeling Of Being There

Friday, 22 March 2024

New Zealand artist Julie Greig shares her pastel landscapes along with her process. She also takes us through her journey to becoming the artist she is today.

Featured Artists

Carol Strock Wasson, Winter Haze, 2023, Pan Pastel and Blue Earth pastels over a monotype print. Working over monotypes is new and exciting. I struggle to know when to stop, allowing just enough of the print to show through the pastel

Carol Strock Wasson – Mastering The Greyscale

Friday, 17 March 2023

Bill Cone pastel. This painting and the one below were painted a few years after my earlier ones. They were painted one after another, in the late afternoon.

Bill Cone – On Returning To The Same Location

Friday, 17 February 2023

Fiona Carvell, Wild Abandon, 2021, Unison Colour Pastels on UART paper, 18 x 18 inches. Available. Exhibited with The Pastel Society UK 2022

Fiona Carvell – The Physicality Of Still Life

Friday, 27 January 2023

Karen Margulis, Wonderland, 2022, pastel on LuxArchival, 12x12 in - detail

Karen Margulis – Journey Into Abstraction

Friday, 21 October 2022

Olga Abramova, "Summer Shadows," 2021, pastel, 90 x 90 cm - detail.

Olga Abramova – Moments of Quiet Contemplation

Friday, 23 September 2022

Detail of Final book cover for "Brotherly Love."

On Illustrating A Children’s Book With Jory Mason

Friday, 26 August 2022

That Nostalgic Feeling – The One Pump In Winnaleah, Tasmania

Friday, 3 May 2024

Inspired By My Students At Tasmania Art Retreat

Friday, 26 April 2024

Being inspired by my students and their art-making is one of the reasons I love to teach. Seeing their breakthroughs is such a reward! Here, I showcase some of their work.

A Portrait by Laura Anning Bell in Tate Britain

Friday, 29 March 2024

We dive deep into the details of this portrait by artist Laura Anning Bell. Located in Tate Britain, it’s believed to be a depiction of Annie Horniman, a pioneer of the repertory theatre.

How To Choose Different Value Options For Thumbnails

Friday, 31 May 2024

We’re often told to try different value options when creating thumbnails of a subject. But how do we do that? Gail spills the beans!

Latest Post 👆

Michele Noiset – Exploring Visual Metaphors In Pastel

Friday, 24 May 2024

Guest artist Michele Noiset works in the medium of pastel to create extraordinary images inspired by events and current issues

Do You Call Yourself An Artist?

Friday, 17 May 2024

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

Mary Cassatt – After The Bath

Friday, 10 May 2024

In honour of Mother’s day, a close look at “After the Bath,” a painting of a mother and her children by Mary Cassatt. We take a close look at this glorious painting!

Featured Artists

Tara Will, "Feels Like Home," 2021, soft pastel, 19 x 25 inches.

Tara Will – Painting The Energy Of The Landscape

Friday, 25 February 2022

"Even after decades I find portrait painting a challenge. Getting a facial expression just right is a real task! Everything must work together well in order to get a likeness. Working and re-working many areas seems to be the frustrating norm, but with perseverance there is a big reward. You have a taste of the steps I follow and teach in workshops. These steps apply regardless of what I am painting."

Lisa Ober – An Artist’s Life Seen Through The lens Of The Painting Process

Tuesday, 19 July 2016

Diane Fechenbach, New Year Blues, 2014, Ludwig, Unison, and Girault pastels on Wallis paper, 11x14 in. From a plein air sketch made on the annual New Year day paint out.

Diane Fechenbach – Warm Up To Snow

Friday, 26 March 2021

Bernadette deCesare, "Roll Over," pastels over watercolour underpainting, 18x24 in.

Bernadette deCesare: Eyes of Realism, Heart of Abstraction

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

Lorenzo Chavez,"Tsegi," pastel, 14 x 22 in.

Lorenzo Chavez – Plein Air Painter of The American West

Friday, 23 July 2021

Carole Katchen says get out of your comfort zone!

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

Lyn Diefenbach, "Counterpoint," Sept 2017, Pastel on Ampersand Pastelbord, 24 x 24 in. Available.

Lyn Diefenbach – Revealing The Complexity Of The Natural World

Tuesday, 17 October 2017

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Julie Greig – The Feeling Of Being There

Friday, 22 March 2024

New Zealand artist Julie Greig shares her pastel landscapes along with her process. She also takes us through her journey to becoming the artist she is today.

Warm Up With A Blind Contour Drawing

Friday, 15 March 2024

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

New Zealand pastel workshop - feature image

My New Zealand Art Workshop Teaching Experience!

Saturday, 2 March 2024

A recap of my New Zealand pastel workshop Feb 2024

Krajcik-Pastel, Silk and Seed - feature image

Allison Krajcik – Getting That Inner Glow

Friday, 23 February 2024

Guest Allison Krajcik takes on a journey from watercolour to pastel in her search to capture the inner glow of flowers and seed pods.

From Thumbnail To Underpainting

Friday, 9 February 2024

How do you go from thumbnail to underpainting? Gail gives examples of a thumbnail with a corresponding underpainting along with the final pastel.

You Just Never Know Who Will Buy Your Painting

Friday, 2 February 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

John Russell – Portrait of George de Ligne Gregory

Friday, 27 October 2023

When a pastel painting takes my breath away, I want to share it! Let’s look at the details of this portrait by English artist John Russell

Andrew McDermott, "Warm Lights on a Cool Evening," 2023, pastel on UART Dark, 10 1/2 x 11 inches

Andrew McDermott – How To Loosen Up

Friday, 13 October 2023

Guest Andrew McDermott shares tips for spontaneity, textures, and maintaining a loose painterly style, all while having fun with your artwork.

Grateful - Gail Sibley, The Nile in Greens and Blues, Unison Colour pastels on UART 500, 6 x 8 in.

17 Reasons I’m Grateful To Be An Artist!

Friday, 6 October 2023

Discover the many reasons Gail Sibley is profoundly grateful to be an artist at this time of Canadian Thanksgiving

Feature-image-for-Preparing-for-the-Challenge

Preparing For The Challenge: 31in31 Fast Approaches!

Friday, 29 September 2023

Preparing for the HowToPastel 31-Pastels-in-31-Days Annual Challenge: Your ultimate guide to success through the month of October. Join us!!

Unconventional colours: Gail Sibley, “Happy Me With Green," Unison Colour pastels on UART 320, 6 x 6 in. Done in about 45 mins. This was a painting I did for one of our October 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge so time was limited!

Unconventional Colours: My Self-Portrait in Quirky Hues

Friday, 22 September 2023

Dive into the fun of seeing my self-portrait come to life with unconventional colours. Restriction can be so beneficial!

Hi!

I'm Gail!

Artist. Blogger. Teacher.

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.

So, please enjoy my posts and subscribe to receive the latest issues.