I’m delighted you’ve found me Sheri. And thank you! I love hearing my blog is like a gift! I like to cover aspects of painting that are essential for any kind of medium so hopefully there will be a lot of help here, even with oil painting.

Hi Julie and thank so much! I’m glad you enjoy the step-by-step posts!

And yay for working at an easel. Standing is way better than sitting because, for one thing, you can easily move away to check on your work.

To your question, there’s always going to be some pastel dust in the tray. It was there when working flat but you may have blown it away (heaven forbid!!) or worked through it somehow. Using lighter pressure can certainly help but dust in the tray comes with the territory I’m afraid.

I am so glad to hear that my post made you look longer and more carefully Constance. That’s what these posts are all about!
And thank you so much for your encouragement to do more (especially since they are not of pastel paintings!).

Love that observation Cynthia! And you are so right. It’s as if the act of painting came with ease. Like a ballet dancer who makes balancing on one foot, en pointe, look easy and effortless. Ahhhh how looks can be deceiving 🙂

It’s pretty mesmerizing isn’t it?! I am so glad, Liz, that you noticed the texture. There is much to see in the dark, muted foreground if one slows down to look.

Jürgen thank you!!! It is a pleasure to do it.
For those who don’t speak german (such as myself!) here’s the google translation: “Your image selection and analysis are always very educational. Thank you!”
And my response, in german, using google translate (so who knows!): Jürgen danke !!! Es ist eine Freude, dies zu tun.

So glad you enjoyed it and took something away Helen. And I was happy to show the work of a couple of painters I hadn’t heard of before!