I don't often draw in the traditional way. I've become too used to digital art, where you can Ctrl+Z a mistake with , use pen stabilisers, much easily spot and fix anatomy, colour and etc issues, and it's simply cheaper. But I still do the odd sketch here and there, mostly ink or pencil. However, I've always wanted to try something more complex and closer to what I draw on a PC. In February, I bought some soft pastels. I chose this material because, unlike oil, they wouldn't expire before I got around to using them.

And that finally happened in September. I tried a few times without much success, then decided to go for something simpler but more surreal rather than something too complex. This piece is probably my best work in traditional media so far. As I thought it would be, the sketching and detailing stages were tough, especially on the lips and eyes since I didn't have the right pastel pencils, but I really enjoyed the blending process, rubbing it all together with my fingers, which felt almost meditative. I picked up a few tips along the way, so next time I'll try to create something much better and more serious.

Also, I found a useful tip in a video (I don't remember exactly which one >_<): keep a cordless vacuum with a narrow nozzle nearby, and you won't have any issues with the pastel dust.