My Adventures with Pastels - STACEY BARGE ART

As an artist, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to express my creativity. Recently, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and try a new medium: pastels. This vibrant, versatile medium has opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me, and I’m excited to share my journey with you.

First Impressions

When I first unwrapped my set of pastels, I was immediately struck by the rich, vivid colours. The chalky pencils felt different in my hands—more tactile, more direct. I knew right away that this would be a completely new experience.

The Learning Curve

Starting with pastels was both exhilarating and challenging. The medium’s directness means that every stroke counts, and there’s little room for error. My first few attempts were messy, to say the least. The colours blended in unexpected ways, and my hands were quickly covered in a rainbow of pigments. But there was something incredibly satisfying about the process, a sense of immediacy and connection to the artwork that I hadn’t felt before.

Discovering Techniques

As I spent more time with pastels, I began to explore different techniques. Layering colours, blending with my fingers, and experimenting with various paper textures all became part of my artistic toolkit. One of the most exciting discoveries was the ability to create rich, textured effects by layering and smudging the pastels. The tactile nature of the medium made every piece feel more personal, more handcrafted.

The Joy of Colour

One of the greatest joys of working with pastels is the sheer vibrancy of the colours. This makes it possible to achieve incredibly bright, bold hues and subtle, delicate tones. Playing with colour in this way has reignited my passion for art, reminding me of the boundless possibilities that come with creative exploration.

Challenges and Rewards

Of course, working with pastels hasn’t been without its challenges. The medium is notoriously messy, and keeping my workspace clean has been a constant battle. Additionally, pastels can be less forgiving than other mediums, with mistakes often difficult to correct. However, these challenges have taught me to embrace imperfection and to find beauty in the unexpected.

Moving Forward

As I continue to experiment with pastels, I’m excited to see where this new artistic journey will take me. I’ve already completed a few pieces that I’m particularly proud of, and I can feel my confidence with the medium growing with each new attempt. There’s something incredibly freeing about pushing myself to try something new and seeing my skills evolve in real time.

In many ways, working with pastels has reminded me of why I fell in love with art in the first place. It’s about exploration, discovery, and the joy of creation. Every new stroke, every blended hue, brings with it a sense of possibility and wonder. I’m eager to continue this journey and to see how pastels will shape and inspire my future work.

If you’re an artist considering trying pastels, I highly encourage you to take the plunge. The medium offers a unique and rewarding experience that can open up new avenues of creativity. Embrace the mess, enjoy the process, and let the colours guide you. Happy creating!

Love from,
The Rambling Artist