Virgil,
I would love to visit your studio in California to see your test panels, but unfortunately I'm several miles away in the great white north of Canada. (But then again it would be warmer down there
) It has been interesting in what you have found in the longevity of pastels.
Chris,
I can't agree with you more that Wende is a strong painter in her own right and an absolutely great pastel portrait artist. I try to read an instructional art book from front to back and to learn as much as I can about pastels or drawing. When I read her opinions on why she doesn't use fixative (which is mentioned a couple of times in her book) this had confused me with how other artists have approached this issue. I also was reading a pastel instruction book by Paul Leveille who believes in spraying his artwork.
I had sprayed a pastel drawing I was working on (before I read Wende's book) but after I had read her comments I thought I might've damaged my painting. I was actually relieved to hear that several other artists have sprayed their work too. I have the utmost respect for Wende and any other professional artist who has had the experience and expertise in their chosen medium. Yes, there is no right or wrong.
Sharon, you and many others on this Forum have been a great help to me and to others I'm sure.
BTW, I had a glass of wine and watched the opening night of Celine Dion in Las Vegas. Fascinating!