I took the time on Saturday to go to a demo of pastel painting. It was a three- quarter of an hour journey and the weather was foul ( sleet and heavy rain). Nobody from my painting sonority had time to go with me but i was really pleased I had braved the elements. The artist Astrid Volquardsen was an excellent speaker. I learnt lots and was really excited about her art. ( www.pastellbilder.de) She uses pastel in a way I would love to emulate and her subjects ( the German coast) are exciting too. I immediately bought the paper she recommended ( Sennelier pastel card) and some Sennelier pastels too. These are really soft and creamy . I only had money for a few colours to start off with but I have started experimenting with them. If you have time to look at her work I hope you will agree with me that she has brought pastel painting up to a very high level.