Wet vs. Dry mediums

[Jesse C. Draper]

I have seen some very beautiful pastel and charcoal work on this site. I would like thank Chris Saper for sharing her recent pastel work.

I have a question concerning wet vs. dry mediums. I wonder if I'm the only person who has a problem with this. I find it much easier to work with wet mediums than dry. I work with oils and waterclolours.

I find it is hard for me to work with charcoal and pastel. I really like the look of these mediums, but when I use them the dryness of the mediums becomes unbearable. Has anyone else had a similar problem? I think the feel of the medium is what is making them difficult for me to enjoy. Even having the powdery chalk on my fingers gives me trouble. Should I just give up on them, or tough it out and learn how to use them to their full extent? Does anyone have any good ways to combat my dry medium pet peeve?