[Valerie Gudorf]

Debra,

This is indeed an intense portrait. Your bold use of color and the subject's direct and resolute gaze (almost challenging), makes it read as such. I am amazed that you were able to achieve this in a three hour session. How long have you been doing open studio work? Is yours a large group?

What is it that you love about Terry Ludwig pastels? Is it the texture and consistency? The unusual pallete? Ten different Caput Mortums is an amazing range.

I just purchased some Holbein pastels, my first of that kind. I was impressed with their consistency. They're much softer than Nupastels, soft yet firm. I keep hearing great things about Grumbacher Pastels. They are still available, I hear. The single largest set has 48 pieces. However, if you buy the other available sets, you'll end up with something like 72 different colors. I understand that Grumbacher once offered a much wider range.

Great portrait. Bravo!