How to Overcome the Fear of a New Box of Pastels

'Mornings are Best'           6x8           pastel           ©Karen Margulis
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It was so hard to do.  I almost couldn't go through with it. But I took a deep breath and went to work. It will be well worth getting past my fear.  Fear of what?  Fear of taking the pristine new pastels out of their original box. Fear of not being able to keep track of the color name or number.  

I always recommend that my students consolidate their pastels into one box. It is very difficult to paint when you have to hunt and peck through several boxes for the right color or value. But it is just as difficult to break up a beautiful new set of pastels.  You know if you do it it will be a good thing but it is taking first step that is so hard.  I have an idea for you.

Consolidate your new box of pastels in baby steps! 

 Here is what I did with this brand new beautiful set of Terry Ludwig pastels, Stan Sperlak 90 piece selection. (heavenly!)

Instead of breaking up a set immediately, transfer them first into a more usable box.  I find it easier to work out of a box where the pastels are loose and not nestled in foam. The foam slows me down.  I do like to initially keep special sets separate from my big box. So I collect cigar boxes to use for these sets.

I line the box with poly foam cut to fit in the box and the lid.  Depending on the size of the box I will choose foam that will allow me to close the box and keep the pastels firmly in place so they will not move around.  I sometimes replace the latch with a stronger one. My 90 piece set fit perfectly into the 10x12 box which will be great to take to Stan's workshop later this month.

cigar box, foam and latch before version

After lining the box with foam I was ready to transfer the pastels. I didn't glue in the foam so that I can remove it to wash if I ever wanted to.  As I transferred the pastels to the new box I marked the color on the handy chart that Terry provides with his pastels.  If you have a set that doesn't have a chart it would be good to make your own.  I have never consulted a chart to reorder a pastel but it makes me feel better to do it. You know, just in case!

the new box with the completed color chart

 What I discovered though that doing the color chart allowed me to try out each color. It was a good opportunity to get to know the colors in the set. A nice bonus!

All 90 pastels in their new home

After I finished the pastel transfer I rewarded myself with painting using the new set.  I am so glad I took the time to do this transfer. It wasn't so hard once I jumped in and got started. Now I can easily take this box with me to workshops. The next step will be to put these pastels into my big box. I find that after I use them separately for awhile they become less precious and I don't feel so hesitant to consolidate them into the big studio box.  Baby steps!

Today's painting done with the Stan Sperlak 90 piece set and Uart paper.