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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Art School
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Peninsula Gallery
Visit NowMost Recent Edition
Friday, 3 April 2026
8 Comments
Do you need an art studio in order to paint regularly? Perhaps the better question is: what makes a space support your return to the work?
More Editions...
Maurice Quentin de La Tour “Jean-Charles Garnier” – A Close Look
Friday, 27 February 2026
A quieter portrait than his famed Pompadour, Maurice-Quentin de La Tour’s pastel of Jean-Charles Garnier rewards close looking — revealing how small, deliberate choices create presence and personality.
Nancie King Mertz – Urban Architectural Painter Extraordinaire
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Painting en plein air is a rewarding experience but usually has challenges. My own work is often done in a quiet(ish) spot as much as possible away from people and activity. This is not the case with this month’s guest blogger Nancie King Mertz! Nancie seems willing and able to set up just about anywhere
How To Improve Your Painting – 20 Master Pastellists Spill The Beans
Wednesday, 9 January 2019
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! As I start a new year, I begin to plan and think about what I want the year to bring, how I want to develop my artwork, how I want to change things up, and how I want to help you improve your painting. Along the way I had a brainwave! Why
Giovanni Boldini – “Girl In A Black Hat”
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Back in April of this year, Don Gardi posted a portrait on the Pastel of America Facebook site – “Girl in a Black Hat” by Giovanni Boldini (1842-1931). Not only was this a stunning pastel but it was by an artist I was only vaguely familiar with. I was so impressed with the portrait I thought I’d share a close look at it
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Using Black Paper For Pastel Painting
I was asked recently why I don’t use black paper. My preference is for a mid-tone paper. Nowadays though I mostly
Jamie Markle on how to get published (don’t we all want to know??)
Jamie Markle is the publisher of …. He’s a sweet guy always available to help and offer advice. If you want
How Breaking The Rules Can Overcome Blank Canvas Syndrome
I’m back in my studio after a wee getaway to Seattle and then Salt Spring Island. The DK Project is pretty
Travel Light With Pastels
After my blog on plein air painting in Mexico, I had a few people ask for a list of exactly what
15 Minutes To Paint En Plein Air In Cayman
Friday, 14 March 2025
Simplify, Simplify, Simplify! Working En Plein Air in Mexico
Tuesday, 9 February 2016
No Time To Paint? No Excuse! Painting A Plug In 20 Minutes
Tuesday, 22 November 2016
Grief And Art – Using Art-Making To Deal With My Sadness And Anger
Tuesday, 30 January 2018
A Painting of Mother and Son with Miró (Gallery Goers Series)
Thursday, 11 May 2023
Thumbnail Sketches – What Can Happen If You Deviate From Them!
Wednesday, 29 August 2018
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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!!