After a long stagnation I've kicked myself up the backside (thanks Patsy and Beatrice) and am back on track. I started a new painting last night and it's going well (fingers crossed). I'm off work with a streaming cold today and - take it from someone who knows - when you're using pastels on dark paper and you feel a sneeze coming on, turn away from the easel!! To paraphrase Basil Fawlty, I did it once but I think I got away with it...