Calling all oil pastel lovers, inexperienced and just starting out or experienced with the medium, this one is for you. I’ll be hosting the July 2014 Monthly Oil Pastel Challenge on Wetcanvas and have just put up the reference images for this months’ challenge http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20135973&posted=1#post20135973.
If you have been following my blog you know that I’m a guide on Wetcanvas, an artist community that is inclusive of all art mediums each with their own forums, plus the business of art, art history, composition, color theory, framing, etc. – basically you name the topic and it’s probably covered and they have a reference image library (80,000+). If you happen to wander over to Wetcanvas http://www.wetcanvas.com/ don’t let the size of the site put you off, take it one area at a time to get used to how to use it.
The oil pastel forum on Wetcanvas is where I got my start in painting with oil pastels (June, 2011), it’s the single most comprehensive forum on oil pastels that I’ve found available on the internet http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=390. Not only do we have a studio/gallery to show completed paintings, but a whole section for general questions, classrooms, WIPs, library, and tools/techniques. There are thousands of threads (started 2003), if you have a question about OPs, you’ll probably find the answer there.
The most incredible part about Wetcanvas are the generous members, if not for them I’d still be struggling to figure out oil pastels. Did I mention it’s a free site?
Hope you take an opportunity to check out Wetcanvas, and feel free to stop by the oil pastel forum and say hello.
Oil Pastels by Mary 
Good luck to every participant. I will enjoy watching the show.
Thank you Evelyne!
Fabulous, Mary! You are the perfect host.
Thank you Elena!
I’m so proud of you Mary! Your enthusiasm and joy in painting is so fun and contagious! Have an awesome day!
Thanks Vicki – hope you are well. Happy 4th of July!
Isn’t it wonderful to have access to a supportive environment!
I love it, absolutely! There are three internet environments invaluable to me Wetcanvas, pmp and my wordpress blog. I’ve benefited in so many ways from all three communities.
Excellent!
I’m so glad you posted about Wet Canvas. I immediately went off to join, only to find I had already joined. I have no memory of doing so. I’m so excited to find this site. I’ve been wanting to find some place where I can get critiques of my work. This looks like a fabulous community. I look forward to seeing you there.
Hey Kerry how cool! So glad that you are a part of the WC community – let me know what you’re avatar is so I recognize you. The watercolor and soft pastel forums are incredible, as well as the landscape and marine forums.
I haven’t had a chance to look into it. I obsessed with a painting at the moment. I’ll let you know when I post one. Do you just use a picture of yourself or do people do art work ones?