[Chris Saper]

Matthew,

There is absolutely nothing that matters as much as progress - every hour at the easel is well spent.

I have found that the funny thing about pastels, is that even if you have 1000 sticks, you'll never really have the right one, so you are forced to get at the color you want in an indirect way.

As to the sharp point issue, I htink it is easier to get at fine detail by carving away at an already placed stroke.