About
the blog for soft pastel art lovers
Inspired by my love of pastels and the enjoyment I receive from teaching about them the How to Pastel Blog has tips & tricks, reviews, step-by-step progressions, guest bloggers, and a great community on Facebook.
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A bit about me
I am very lucky to have been born and brought up in Jamaica, a land of beauty and complexity, of warmth and coolness, of vibrancy and tension. Many say that my Caribbean upbringing influenced my palette and I think they may be right. I do know that it shaped my worldview. Check out these sites to learn more about me and my work.
My Art Practice
Gail Sibley
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Peninsula Gallery
Visit NowMost Recent Edition
Friday, 31 May 2024
4 Comments
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!
More Editions...
Making Abstract Art – One Way To Do This
Thursday, 14 February 2019
I used to think that there were only two ways to go about making abstract art. The first is to abstractify something from reality. The second is to put pastel on paper and follow where it leads. But recently I discovered a third way. And this is what it is: use a visual seen in
Taking Small Steps: The Key to Achieving Your Art Goals
Sunday, 5 March 2023
We all know that, for us, art-making is our way to express ourselves. It’s how we explore our creative side. But, for many of us, finding the time, motivation, and skills to make art can be a challenge. That’s why taking small steps is so important. It’s by taking small steps that we travel our
The Making Of “Black Hats” – From Concept To IAPS Exhibition
Friday, 31 March 2023
The 42nd IAPS Open Division Online Exhibition is now open for viewing. And I’m happy to say that my painting, Black Hats, was accepted into the show. Oh what a feeling!!! I’m even more delighted to share that this acceptance gives me the fifth point necessary to add IAPS/MC after my name. Whoo hoo! So
How To Store Pastel Paintings
Sunday, 16 August 2015
Well after last week’s hair-pulling experience, I am DELIGHTED to present my newest Pastel Painting Tip video: How To Store Pastel Paintings.
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Michele Poirier Mozzone – From Below The Surface
I love swimming. I love the feel of my body sliding through the water. I love the world below the water
Packing for a Plein Air Trip to PACE
Packing for a plein air trip shouldn’t be difficult. The problem is our tendency to want everything with us. Here’s how to pack light!
Why Explore A Single Subject? Here Are Some Thoughts
I’m deep into painting for the 31-pastels-in-31-days Challenge. My first painting was a small vase filled with ageing flowers. I painted
The Benefits Of Doing Thumbnails!
I am deep in the creation of a lesson for my IGNITE! Membership group on the benefits of doing thumbnails. As
How Creating Colour Studies Can Improve Your Paintings
Tuesday, 14 February 2017
How Breaking The Rules Can Overcome Blank Canvas Syndrome
Thursday, 30 March 2017
Why You Should Paint Even When You Don’t Feel Like It… And Some Gerberas
Tuesday, 13 September 2016
Learn From The Masters At The Utah Museum Of Fine Arts
Friday, 13 March 2020
The Importance Of Play In Art-Making
Wednesday, 27 April 2016
“His Shaving Things” – A Small Pastel In A Limited Palette
Wednesday, 28 January 2015
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6 thoughts on “About”
Gail! Just got turned on to your website by a fellow artist from Wellington, Ontario… both of us former presidents of the Pastel Society of Eastern Canada. I work primarily in pastel and it will always be my medium of choice! I could never give them up! Being a landscape artist for years, I would now like to change things up a bit and try abstract. I was inspired by your article about the progression of your abstract painting…it’s given me the courage to take that (for me) giant leap and go ahead with an image I’ve had in my mind for a long time. Thank you! I look forward to future e-mails! Your’s is one of the best Pastel websites I’ve come across. Look forward to receiving your emails.
Kathryn
Thank you for writing Kathryn, and for your enthusiasm! It comes over loud and clear 🙂 I am wondering which article on abstraction you are referring to. Perhaps you can add a comment directly on the blog? Good luck with your leap. I know how difficult it is to make. It’s ongoing risk-taking that’s for sure! Please let me know how it goes.
Look forward to hearing more from you
I just read your article in the April issue of “Pastel Journal”. Thank you so much. I felt as if you were speaking directly to me. I am going to tear it out and tape it to my studio wall.
Marcia
Marcia, that’s the best reward a writer/artist could hear!! Thank you for letting me know. (As yet, I still haven’t received my copy!)
Hi Gail. I’m really excited and pleased to have discovered your website. I live in southern Australia and I started painting with pastels a few years ago (self taught) , but went a bit stale after doing a couple of workshops- mostly because the pastel artists here who I came across seem to be very conventional and felt that I wasn’t learning much. I’ve been working in oils since and enjoyed it- as I’ve realised, it’s similar in many ways. You showcase so many exciting works – use of colour, composition etc. , and your quick tips are helping me rethink how to approach my work. Looking forward to hearing more about your workshop in Tasmania, or perhaps one in Europe in a couple of years’ time.
Hi Judi,
Thanks for writing such a lovely introduction to yourself and your work. Certainly oils are similar to pastels in the way one builds a painting. Interesting that! I’m glad though that my blog may bring you back to the pastel side 😀 Even if not, so much of what’s here can be applied to the other media available for painting.
I look forward to having you in one of my workshops whether in Tasmania or Europe!!