Finding Your Voice, Painterly Techniques, and the Joy of Pastel

I recently had the joy of being interviewed on The Pastel Podcast with Kari Stober and Lisa Skelly. Our conversation wandered in all the best ways — from my early path into art, to painterly technique, to why joy and limitation play such an important role in creative growth.

Rather than recap the entire episode, I wanted to share a few key themes that emerged during our conversation. Ideas that continue to shape how I paint, teach, and encourage other artists.

A winding road that became a calling

Most people assume I always knew I’d be an artist. The truth is, my boyhood dream was to be a left-handed pitcher in the major leagues. When that door closed in college, I realized something that had been true all along; I had always been drawing. I just hadn’t taken it seriously.

That moment led me into art school, mentors, and a whole new world I didn’t even know existed. Eventually, it brought pastel into my hands.

Why pastel became my home

I fell in love with pastel early on. The immediacy, the color, the way it lives right between drawing and painting. Still, for years I believed you had to become a master oil painter to be a “serious” artist.

But pastel kept calling me back. Around 2015, I finally went all in. That focus changed everything — my work, my teaching, and the way I think about helping artists grow.

How limitation transformed my technique

One of the biggest shifts in my work came during the 2008 housing crisis. Commissions slowed, but invitations to demo and teach increased. Painting in front of a group — often in 90 minutes or less — forced a radical change.

I had to stop drawing everything first and slowly layering. I had to mass shapes, establish values, and get to color early. More of an Alla Prima mindset; big to small, general to specific.

I still believe that you can always tighten up a loose painting. It’s very hard to loosen up a tight one.

The power of constraints (like the 100 Stroke Challenge)

We also talked about the 100 Stroke Challenge, which is one of my favorite teaching tools. Limitation is often the birthplace of innovation. When strokes or colors are limited, priorities become clear.

What matters most?
What do I say first?
What can I let go of?

A good constraint creates a productive crisis, and that crisis often leads to a breakthrough.

What I hope artists take away

When I teach, I often say I get to traffic in dream fulfillment. Artists carry doubt, resistance, and old voices that tell them they’re not enough. My goal isn’t just to teach technique, it’s to help artists reconnect to joy, curiosity, and permission to play.

Because when you keep showing up at the easel, you don’t just grow as an artist. You bring more beauty and hope into the world.

If you’d like to hear the full conversation, I hope the episode encourages you. And if life feels loud right now, here’s your reminder:

Say no to something so you can say yes to your creative time.

Your Creative Journey Matters

Let’s talk about artistic passion

Your desire to create isn't just a passing impulse—it's a calling that lives deep within you. When you honor this creative fire, you're not only nurturing your own fulfillment, you're adding more beauty and wonder to our world. Every stroke of the brush, every mark you make, line you draw, every piece you create ripples outward, touching lives in ways you might never see.

This journey you're on? It matters. Not just to you, but to all of us.

Down the Stretch, 12x16" pastel by Alain Picard

The Challenge We All Face

Yet for every calling to create, there's a force that rises up to oppose it. We call this force Resistance. It shows up as procrastination ("I'll start tomorrow"), self-doubt ("I'm not good enough"), or fear ("What if I fail?"). The good news? You're not alone in this struggle, and recognizing these symptoms is the first step to overcoming them.

Your Creative Calling is Valid

Here's a truth worth embracing: You don't need to be a professional artist to have a valid creative calling. Whether you dream of hanging your work in galleries or simply want to express yourself through art, your creative journey has profound value. The world needs the unique creative gifts that only you can offer.

Breaking Through Resistance: YOUR ACTION PLAN

1️⃣ Start Today Don't wait for the perfect moment—it will never arrive. Tomorrow is too late. Set aside even 15 minutes today to create. 

2️⃣ Embrace Imperfection Let go of the need for perfection on the way to your creative dreams. Remember that every great master had to start as a beginner, and every piece you create is a step forward. Valuing progress over perfection will lead you toward your goals.

3️⃣ Seek Supportive Feedback Connect with fellow artists or mentors who can provide you with constructive guidance. The right feedback can illuminate your path forward and bring vital encouragement along the way.

4️⃣ Take the Next Small Step What's one small action you can take right now toward your artistic goals? Maybe it's organizing your workspace, sketching for 10 minutes, or signing up for that workshop you've been considering. Never underestimate the power of small steps in the right direction. 

The Power to Choose Is Yours

Every time you choose to create despite resistance, you're not only making art—you're bringing more beauty into the world. Your creative journey isn't just about the art you produce; it's about becoming the artist you are meant to be and enriching the lives of others through your unique expression.✨

Encountering beauty brings hope. That’s the impact your art makes. The power to start is always in your hands. Why not begin right now?

Keep showing up at the easel for your creative dreams!

We Are All Students: 4 Powerful Lessons for Aspiring Pastel Artists

I just returned from a trip to Nashville, TN where I was meeting with a group of online business owners to learn, grow, and gain insight into how to better serve artists online. Walking into The Graduate Hotel, their mantra is written on the floor; “We Are All Students.” I love this, because it represents a growth mindset instead of a fixed one.

The fixed mindset believes that talent—without the application of effort—creates success. You’re either born with it or you’re not, and there’s nothing you can do to change it. This way of thinking is dangerous because it causes you to avoid challenges and resist criticism. I often see many art students fall into this mindset in my classes and workshops.

A growth mindset believes that our most basic abilities—like talent and intelligence—can be improved through effort, perseverance, and experience. Artists in a growth mindset crave challenges, welcome constructive criticism, view setbacks as learning opportunities, and develop a passion for hard work and a hunger for growth. They know that getting better is a process. One that requires the right attitude and dedication over time.

As you can see, the right mindset changes our behaviors and the results we will gain. So which mindset will you choose? This choice will powerfully shape the progress you make. 

I still remember the day I picked up my first set of pastel colors, bright and full of potential. It was a figure drawing class in college. The thought of transforming these colors into a piece of figurative art was exhilarating yet daunting at the same time. My heart was filled with passion but my mind was clouded with self-doubt, questioning whether I had what it takes to be an artist.

Looking back now, I realize that those doubts were not only normal but also necessary for growth. That’s why today, I want to share four important lessons that have helped me in my artistic journey and can empower other women and men who wish to venture into the world of pastel painting.

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset

The first step is always about changing your mindset - choose progress over perfection! You don’t need to create a masterpiece every time you pick up your pastel sticks; what matters more is learning from each stroke you make on the canvas (or as we use in the Pastel world Paper or Board). In our workshops, we encourage you to move forward and continue practicing instead of only working on one piece.

2. Overcome Self-Doubt

It's perfectly normal to doubt yourself when trying new techniques like pastel layering or expressive mark making or stepping out of your comfort zone – it’s part of being human! Remember that this self-doubt doesn't define your abilities as an artist; instead use it as fuel for growth and motivation.

3. Cultivate Patience

Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day! Just like any skill, mastering art takes time and consistent effort so don’t be disheartened if progress seems slow initially. It's all about taking small steps towards bigger goals!

4. Take The Next Step

Finally, just take one step at a time – one sketch at a time! Every piece you create brings you closer to becoming the artist you aspire to be!

These strategies aren’t just relevant for aspiring artists but are also crucial for entrepreneurs starting their own art journey – persevering through challenges, constant learning, overcoming self-doubt and patience are the cornerstones of any successful venture.

Now, imagine having a community of like-minded individuals cheering you on and inspiring you to take those small steps. A place where you can share your work, learn from others, and grow together. Sounds amazing right? That's exactly what we're offering! So why wait? Join us today to start your journey toward becoming a pastel painting artist!

Keep showing up for your creative dreams,

Alain