Hi Punam, did you receive my email answering your question? I don’t appear to have had a response…

Hi Diana,
Thank you for the highest of compliments!!
How can I help you get equipped? I have a few blogs on the topic. You can always do a search on “plein air”.
Feel free to set up a call with me via Calendly!

I took a life-changing class with you through the Painter’s Guild on Saltspring Island.
I’m so happy to be able to learn from you. I love your work.
I need to get equipped for Pleine Air. Thank you for all the info.

Diana

Hi Tracy, thanks for your kind comment. It was only a couple of years ago that I purchased the set up I use now (Mabef field easel with Dakota Pastel’s Travel Box). Before that, I used a half french easel but only for local work. It was just too big to lug around in luggage. So when I travelled, I just took my pastels and worked wherever I could – on the ground, a rock, a bench….but not with an easel. I much prefer an easel and since I am now teaching abroad, I knew I had to get a travelling one (as described above). All this to say, I am not the best person to ask about this. Having said that, I know Manfrotto is an excellent brand for a tripod. Perhaps a good idea is to contact Hellman and ask what they recommend. Many artists use their boxes so I am sure they have that info easily available.

I love your blog and all that you offer. Thank you. I am about to invest in a tripod for pastel painting outdoors. I bought a Heilman pochade box this summer and have been working with an old tripod of mine that literally wobbles in the wind. I’m looking into a Manfrotto but don’t know the best model for doing pastels. Can you help?

I am a member of a local art cooperative and put our website. I haven’t gotten mine together yet.

Thank you Barbara for your sympathetic response to my blog – “Grief and Art”. I do appreciate it.
As to your question, if you go to Schedule a Call on the main menu. Then click on the arrow to the right of the words ‘Free 15-Minute Shazam Session’. Then you will need to select a day. After you do that, you will need to pick a time. The times shown will be in your own local time so pick one that suits you. When you click the time, you will then need to click “Confirm”. I’ll get an email notifying me of the appointment. Then that’s it! Well, except to say, please record the date in your dairy. On the specified day and time, call me!! Hope that explains things and we can set up a call for you.

Hi Susan, Thanks for your question. Okay, here’s a few answers:
– I don’t sharpen my soft pastels. What happens though is, as I use them, edges are created so I use those and the tip. I wouldn’t try to sharpen those!
– Fixative, yes they do darken and deaden the sparkle. BUT I have found that Lascaux actually works well and doesn’t do this!
– Sanded papers are fabulous – what a difference in layering and vibrancy of colour! I’m not quite sure what your question is around papers. Why not set up a call with me?? 🙂