Becoming a successful artist doesn’t just take talent—it also takes plenty of effort, persistence, and a commitment to growth. The best advice for artists often comes from other successful artists.

The editors at Pastel Journal talked to some of the artists whose work was featured in the International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) 2021 Juried Gallery Exhibition. This preeminent exhibition featured many of the best pastel artists working in this medium today. Here, a selection of these artists share the lessons that have contributed to their success.

Whether you’re a pastelist or you prefer watercolor, oil, or colored pencil—or even if you’re a beginning artist who is experimenting with different media—you’re sure to find inspiration in these words of wisdom. One artist’s advice may be just what you need to launch your next stage of growth and success!

8 Pieces of Advice

1: Go your own way.

“The best advice I’ve been given is to be true to myself and do what I love. I have a passion for realism and detail, and I continue on that path. I’ve come to realize that, as individuals, we each have a unique way of creating that makes us happy and fulfilled. There are no rules in terms of style. No genre is better than another. You’ll have a much healthier relationship with your art if you do what you love.”

Julie Freeman, Pastel Artists of New Zealand

2: Think first.

“One of my drawing teachers once said, ‘First the head, then the hands,’ meaning we need to think first and analyze what we’re going to do and how we’re going to do it—and not scratch it out, just like that. When he stood behind me in class, I felt stressed because he’d ask me what I was doing and why. Since then, however, it has become habit to first understand my intent.”

Elena Prudnikova, Pastel Society of America

3: Don’t be timid.

“Paint what scares you. That’s the best advice for growth and learning.”

Nancie King Mertz, Chicago Pastel Painters

4: Go bold.

“I’ve always appreciated this advice from artist Steven Aimone: ‘When you don’t know what to do, do the boldest thing.'”

Debora Stewart, Pastel Society of America

5: Stop and listen.

“I want my paintings to be open to interpretation, to invite viewers to complete the picture in their imagination. To do this, an artist needs to remember to stop before a piece becomes overworked. The advice I return to time and again is to back away as you approach completion and let the piece sit for a bit. It will tell you what it needs.”

Cindy Crimmin, Pastel Society of America

6: Keep it loose.

“Something I learned years ago that has stuck with me is to keep a composition as loose and abstract as possible for as long as possible during the painting process. Even though my end goal is a representational landscape painting, taking this approach allows for a more lyrical, poetic quality. By delaying and limiting the tight, delicate marks and details until I’m nearing the finish, I’m able to maintain a strong underlying abstract foundation.”

Barbara Jaenicke, Pastel Society of America

7: Paint small and often.

“In artist Carole Marine’s book, Daily Painting, she suggests painting small and often, arguing that you learn just as much about composition from a small painting as you do from a large one. This practice has led to several breakthroughs in my own process because I felt freer to experiment in these smaller works.”

Beth Williams, Pastel Society of America

8: Be selective.

“I learned from a good friend and teacher to be selective. There’s no need to describe every single detail. Paint a poem, not a protocol!”

Silja Salmistu, Pastel Society of America

What’s the best advice you ever got? Share in the comments below!

A version of this article first appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of Pastel Journal.

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