First pastel by Peter Smith

I prefer painting - brushes or knives - too; but pastel does make a refreshing change. It will often surprise you, too - I don't use it a lot, but have been taken pleasantly by surprise on several occasions by what I'm able to do with it. Snag is, the dust.... still, I'm told it's not toxic.

You're absolutely right about the dust Robert! I'm finding it difficult to get my head around the fact that it doesn't dry and will always be vulnerable to being smudged unless I frame it and it's not good enough of that. I'm doing it because I need to use them at art group on Friday and I thought I ought have have at least some idea about how to use them.

I have used pastel once to try and see. The result was good but dust was a issue. Once it is done, it needs to have a layer of Fixative Spray so that it does not smudge. Your pastel attempt is good Peter.

I'll do that Magdalena.

Like this wee squirrel Pastel is a favourite medium it is versatile and great for animal portraits I think and yes it is dusty!

Coincidentally, I was thinking of getting out my pastels again. You need to be a bit organised, especially if, like me, you like using soft pastels. I use my easel and place a strip of paper along the ledge to catch any falling dust. Never blow off the dust but tap gently. Spraying in the early stages helps minimise the dust ( spray if possible outside ). This is very nice Peter…if you keep going with pastel you’ll be surprised how you develop your technique.

I'll stick with it and see how things develop. I ought to try a portrait, if that comes out OK I'll know I can cope with them.

Well done Peter, great first attempt. I tried pastel and found it messy, it doesn’t suit the way I have to work these days (same with charcoal). But people produce fantastic work with it, so keep at it

Good start