Packhorse Bridge, Burbage Valley

I like your composition and the idea, but you have the same trouble with pastels that I have - at least on laid paper. The only paper I had any success with was velour, and that using mainly conté crayon and hard pastels from the US that had been given to me. I admire anyone who persists with soft pastels.

I now have two pastelling techniques. In one I use 1200 grade black sandpaper from Halfords and soft pastels such as Unison. This results in thick layers of pastel, as in "Derwent Reservoir". In the other I use 160 gm white cartridge paper and Unison pastels. Sometimes I brush off excess pastel to leave a stained paper. This gives lighter effects as in "Gatehouse, Chateau d'Oigny"..

Interesting.... well, keep doing what you're doing! I'll try the sandpaper.