Say what you will about the viability of pastels, when it comes to doing exceptional work that will last nigh on to forever, it’s tough to beat a good oil painting. Whereas it may take me two hours to do a basic 18 x 24 pastel portrait, it takes me some 30-35 hours to do the same picture in oil. And that doesn’t take into consideration the additional preparation and clean-up time that oils require. After completing a project in oil, after studying it intensively for so long, I really get to know it.

I believe the results are worth all of that, however. You end up with a classical piece which is sharper, cleaner and clearer than any other medium. You also have something that not only will last a lifetime, but also the lifetimes of those not yet born.

These are done by sitting or photo or any combination thereof….