Hi, it’s been awhile since I last posted.
I have been following the landscape pastel course and also used pastels myself.
I used some sticks and they work fine layer well etc. The paper and the pencils are both over 20 years old so I wonder if the provlem is bc they are too old and I should discard them. Because if I try to use the pencils on top of even one layer of stick soft pastels I basically scratch away the colour but don’t get layers. I already discarded several of the old pens and wonder if I should get a pair of fresh pastels or if it’s my technique.
Any advice?
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Hi Jennilein -
Nice to see you posting in the forum again. I’m sorry but pastels are not my strong suit. I look forward to seeing replies to your excellent question from others more experienced with this media.
Terri Robichon
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Hello @Jennilein
Welcome back! I am sorry for the struggle you’re having with your pastels. I am not an expert but I’ve worked with soft pastels a lot more than any other media because it is my all time favorite 
. Would you mind sharing what kind of pastel sticks you’re using?
The miteintes paper doesn’t have as much tooth as pastelmat so it will not hold as many layers especially if we have applied more pressure between layers. You might want to lighten up the layers before adding pencils strokes on top and build the layers a little lighter since especially pitt pencils are harder, but so are derwent (not as much) and will dig in the previous layers if they are too heavy, i find that the softer the pastel sticks the faster they fill the tooth (for example unison, sennelier sticks) where rembrandt sticks are more in between softer and harder, and new pastels being the hardest of the sticks.
Also you might want to try using the broken edges of the sticks to make thinner lines or add details/highlights if the pencil application won’t “stick” or dig out grooves. I think I’ve seen Matt and Ashley use old media that is food quality without problems.
I hope it makes sense and helps out a little.
Sonia Alonzo
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Thanks for the warm welcome. Like you I love pastels very much (just the pencils don’t like me it seems).
My soft pastels are from koh i noor. They layer well on that paper by themselves.
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I would love to see your work posted! Also you could ask Matt or Ashley during the live lesson/class Thursday evening.
Sonia Alonzo