Pastel is a lovely medium. The pure pigment and the close alliance with hand and colour application is very satisfying to work with. The finish can be highly blended or be vigorous strokes depending on your subject and/or your mood.
The colour of the paper can have a dramatic effect if you let it. The triple portrait to the left is only black, white and the paper colour.
Other subjects I like to pastel are landscapes,buildings, flowers and animals.
I have included pure charcoal in this gallery. I have had charcoal commissions for nude studies as well as portraits.