Thank you very much Linda.

In the final layer I would hold the piece of chalk as lightly as I could between my thumb and finger and let only the weight of the stick pull across the surface. Many times they just fall from my fingers because I'm holding so lightly. This doesn't help my breakage factor when they clang down to the easel tray, or onto the floor.

If (when) she comes back (still metaphorically speaking), I'm going to attempt a more traditional, fully covered approach, and, a bit larger.

Well, I got over my aggravation and went and found another piece of grape colored chalk. It's not a perfect match but it's close. I completed the composition and made a few other changes. This is all, I promise.

Mike--

Congratulations on a fine piece! I admire anyone who can work in pastel, as I sure can't.

Best--TE

Mike, I remember your words of woe regarding this medium. You have a excellent portrait here! So, please tell me why don't you do more in chalk? I too like working with chalks, your post is like a breeze on a hot day. Thanks!

Thank you very much, Tom.

Mischa,

Thanks for the kind words. Your question reminds me of a thread I started almost two years ago entitled - "Pastels - going out of business." It is posted in the Business and Marketing section here:

http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=5578

It's a interesting discussion that pretty much lays out how I, and others, feel about pastels as they relate to the business end of the business. Maybe you'd like to add your thoughts two years hence.

I love the look of pastels and as I said above I am drawn back to them from time to time. Unfortunately, I've never been able to focus on them long enough to get very good. Maybe someday that will change, and maybe that's my motivation for wanting to stay in touch with them.

One more little anecdote regarding this effort -- When I made the change in the composition, and finished the sweater on the bottom, I then had to sign my name elsewhere. I sat and starred at the spot for at least an hour picking up just about every chalk in my several boxes. I would test each possible candidate on the side of the board. Because of the way I had handled the background, using the ground color splotched under the grape color, I knew I only had one attempt and would have to live with whatever I started. After much consternation I settled on a stick and began. I think I got it about 45% right. Having fretted so much about which stick to use I lost focus on exactly where to start and ended up to far right and to low. Also, because of the nubby sticks the letters are to big for my taste. And the color, which is the same green I used in the sweater, and seemed OK in my test, looks completely different against the grape. But, there's no going back with these nubby little branches of pigment. So there you have it, my best effort while in the grips of this oppressive Florida winter.