Soft Pastel Stories

Colourful Chronicles

Learn new techniques, hear artist's stories, and stay up to date on Soft Pastel News.

  • Face-Off event at Corpus Christi

    Corpus Christi “Face-off”

    I was recently contacted by Gaye Sekula, a co-ambassador for South Texas for the Portrait Society of America (PSoA). She asked for my help in setting up a “Face-off” event on behalf of PSoA here in Corpus Christi, Texas.

    Neva Smoll

    27th November, 2019

  • Dublin tiger by gerri mccaffery

    What a Performer!

    In Ireland we have a saying: ‘Tus maith, leath na hoibre’ – or, ‘A good start is half the work’. So true in the case of animal art.  Getting a good look at your subject and getting a good reference is often not only half the work, but also half the fun!

    Gerri McCaffery

    21st October, 2019

  • Swash your way to creativity by esther jones title image

    Swash Your Way to Creativity

    I can’t even draw a stick figure.” Have you ever said that? Have you ever heard someone say it? It’s usually said with a bit of embarrassed cynicism.

    Esther L Jones

    18th September, 2019

  • Pastels and me by jan chesler

    Pastels & Me

    I fell in love with pastels from the moment I first saw their lustrous sheen on paper. Being a self-taught artist, I had muddled through prior efforts to paint with watercolours, acrylics, coloured pencils and more.

    Jan Chesler

    6th September, 2019

  • Gold splashes through the dark oaks by cathi pearce

    Gold Splashes Through the Dark Oaks

    With a grin I sometimes introduce myself as the mad lady who paints the hill. Roundway Hill near Devizes in Wiltshire and the surrounding fields are my subject as I love to observe them every day.

    Cathy Pearce

    20th August, 2019

  • Art in the pen 2019

    Art in the Pen, 2019

    An annual event held Skipton Auction Mart attracting over two hundred artists and craft makers showcasing a diverse mix of specialisms, along with art demonstrations.

    Unison Colour

    13th August, 2019

  • What if by tracey maras

    What if?

    Isn’t it exciting when you stumble onto something that is totally new?  That is what happened when a colleague and I were developing a series of workshops on creative underpaintings for pastel.  While experimenting and asking “what if?” the technique of “Floating Pastel” was created.

    Tracey Maras

    7th August, 2019

  • The pastels in my life

    The Pastels in My Life

    I was first introduced to pastel painting by a friend about 10 years ago when I admired what I thought was an oil painting.

    Lyn Evans

    19th July, 2019

  • Cath Inglis giving demonstrations at Patchings.

    Patchings Art, Craft & Design Festival

    One of the UK’s finest art, craft and design events, set in 60 acres of picturesque Nottinghamshire countryside, showcasing over 250 of the best professional artists, craft makers and designers.

    Unison Colour

    16th July, 2019

  • No kidding featured image

    No Kidding

    As an animal portrait artist I would like to take you through one of my paintings. I’ll say from the start that this is the way that I approach a portrait, and over time you will find your own way of working

    Paul Holmes

    8th July, 2019

  • Limiting your colour palette 1600

    Limiting your Colour Palette

    June isn’t the most obvious month for thinking about winter scenes – but for me it is when I start to plan out my Christmas card designs (I know – too early!).

    Jo Garlick

    25th June, 2019

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Colour Chart Guidance

We believe the colours in our web based colour chart are a faithful representation of our pastel range. But with any colours portrayed on the internet, there’s a whole heap of variables which mean that what you see, may not be what we see. That said, there’s some things that can be done to mitigate some of the variance.

Mobile phone and tablet screens tend to be pretty good for colour, so they’re always worth using, when viewing our colour chart.

We hate to say it, but cheaper computer displays, including laptops, can be rather hit and miss, in both colour and contrast, so they might not reveal the depth of the colour, as well as the true tone.

If you’re really keen on getting your computer up to speed on colour representation, you can use a calibration device to reach your display's fullest potential.

With all that said, if you think we’re way off the mark with any of the colours then, by all means let us know, and we’ll give it another shot.