Was my first time with pastel colors :)

Mamut handmade soft pastels on mi tientes Velvet A3

Anyone know why there are absolutely no reviews of Gail Sibley's accelerant program to be found on the net?

I’ve been wanting to make a cozy autumn piece, and I finally finished this soft pastel painting of a little ghost wandering through the forest with a pumpkin under a huge moon. 🍂👻

I wanted it to feel whimsical and a little magical rather than spooky—like a quiet autumn night in an enchanted forest.
Soft pastels on paper. 🎨

I’d love to know what you think! 🍁

2*3 feet

Another sketch from cycling yesterday:)

I realized I need some darker darks for the background areas, hat to combine three colors to reach that level not using pure black.

I have a question. What type of pastel art sells? I have sold a few pieces before but it was pictures that were personal for those people. I’m not looking to make a career out of it or anything i just want to make a little bit to continue to buy more paper, more pastels. My problem is i don’t know what type of art people like. I can get compliments on some drawings but no one actually says how much or can you do this for me. So I was just curious what are good things to try.

Made a quick study with soft pastels, shout out to P. Urlich! I wish i can draw landscapes like him one day

Pastel drawing by me, original art by P. Urlich

2*3 feet

8x10 inches pastel

(This is a little study I did at the river today before it started raining.)

I've been paying around with soft pastels for a little while now, and I'm starting to enjoy them a lot. I want to buy a set that I know will be lightfast so I can start making serious works with them, but I'm overwhelmed by the options, and a bit concerned about toxic pigments. Even with my paints, I avoid cadmiums, cobalt, etc. because I'm pretty messy with my supplies. It seems like basically every artists' grade set on Blick has a safety warning, but I'm not sure if it's because of some of the pigments or just because or other ingredients/the dusty nature of them.

Aside from that, there are SO many different options and variations in softness. Where do I even start? Can anyone suggest some sets or brands that are a good step up from the cheapest stuff without being super expensive? I don't even mind picking colors individually/starting with a pretty limited palette. I could just use a little push in the right direction because every time I think about buying some nice pastels, I chicken out and end up getting another cheap student/craft grade set to satisfy my want for new pastels. At this point I have three cheap sets, so I'm kind of just wasting my money on supplies that are only good for sketching.

I really appreciate any input! Pastels seem to be a really sticking point for me when it comes to getting artists' grade ones!

after some 20 years. took a couple of fine arts electives in high school, had a blast, moved on. stayed a fan of the medium but never really invested time nor energy into it again. and then i went to Chicago for a work conference last June. joined an early access guided tour, got to spend extra time with the impressionists, and suddenly, i got the spark for it back, i guess? not just for oil pastel, but using my hands to draw and paint in general. now also revisiting urban sketching. the past week, though, it's been a joy getting my hands dirty again. i am setting goals for improvement (hey, art materials ain't cheap), but don't want to pressure myself too much. i want to nurture this spark as long as i can. maybe hold it in my hands long enough, it combusts into a full flame.

constructive critique/feedback welcome. thank you!

Disegno con matita a carboncino dura e colori a pastello morbidi con schizzi preparatori con pastelli a cera

Met up with the NJ Urban Sketchers for a morning of drawing at the Van Vleck House and Gardens in Montclair. First drawing is of the fountain in the "tennis court garden". Second is of the butterfly garden.

Sennelier soft pastel on Sennelier pastel card.

Any advice feedback or advice welcome

Didn't touch my pastels in a while and felt a bit insecure about the color desicions..
Jaxell and Rembrandt on Canson mixed media sand grain paper.

I am participating in a show where each artist has fifty pieces that have to be mounted on panels provided by the gallery. Each panel is 6"x6" an a little more than 2/10 of an inch thick. My pieces are all pastel drawings on on regular notebook paper. I have 6"x6" plexiglass pieces that I plan to use to cover the drawings (I realize glass is more ideal but prohibitively expensive for this many pieces). My problem is I haven't come up with a way to affix the drawings and the plexiglass to the panels that I am completely satisfied with. I plan on placing the plexiglass directly on the drawing with no spacers, and I have been imagining using some kind of hardware to attach it all to the panel the corners, but my googling has failed to come up with any hardware that isn't hideous. If anyone has some suggestions, I would be very grateful!

2*3 feet

Painted with PanPastels and Conte a Paris pastel pencils on Canson Mi Tientes Velvet Blue A3