Pastels - out of business?

[Chris Saper]

Do you share my belief that pastels are at least as difficult as oils and are much less forgiving.

Well, kind of.

I think pastels are (for me) easier, at least in the way that I do them. However, there is no way I can manage the medium and do what I want to be working on in my portraits - more subtlety and control in color and value transitions, etc. So if I tried to work on subtlety (and as you know subtlety is just not my long suit in any regard) in pastel I would be frustrated, and just unable to accomplish it.

I think oil is wonderfully versatile and forgiving, and that's where I want to be.

[Mike McCarty]

I understand completely.

Also, It is my impression that the prices of oils and pastels only begin to merge at the very highest levels.

[Linda Nelson]

For the same reasons you cite for pastels. I have really de-emphasized offering work done in watercolor. I haven't done a watercolor in almost a year.

[Elizabeth Schott]

So Mike have you convinced yourself yet?

[Mike McCarty]

So Mike have you convinced yourself yet?

I was already convinced, I just wondered if others had come to similar conclusions.

[Michele Rushworth]

I only offer portraits in oils, for all the same reasons you mention, Mike.

[Mike McCarty]

I don't mind the charcoal or mono pastel drawings. This gives people an opportunity to do something if they can't afford the oil. But when you introduce color, that's a whole nuther smoke.