Pastels create dust and, when inhaled, there are some concerns amongst the artist community that it can be harmful.

The worry is that dust particles can settle in the respiratory system and, over time, potentially cause problems. Some pigments may also be toxic (as is the case with other mediums...

By Bob Davies

If you apply watercolour paint (or water) to a dry sheet of paper, it will expand where it's wet and you end up with paper that is warped and buckled, instead of nice and flat.

It's impossible to paint on printer or copier paper for this reason - look at the...

By Bob Davies

So you're fed up working with your paper or canvas flat on the kitchen table because it hurts your back leaning over it, whether you're standing or sitting?

And you're trying to work in your own shadow?

Or you're in full flow but then have to move everything as the table needs to be...

This guide covers the different types of pastels available and which ones you might want to consider starting with. I’m assuming you’re either a newcomer or early on in your pastel painting adventure and my aim is to save you from lots of tedious research and wasted money on equipment...

Surface choices in most mediums are so varied nowadays that it can become a bit overwhelming. Pastel papers and surfaces are no exception!

Fortunately, we can simplify things a lot by looking at the main categories and skimming over the more obscure or expensive that I wouldn’t recommend...