FAQ Page

I often get asked the same questions across my social media. Here they all are answered! If you have a question not answered here, then scroll down to the bottom and fill out the form and submit a new question. Cheers!

My Online Interviews :
Ashly Lovett & Chalk Pastel by Zo Magazine
Rising Star: Check List For a Successful Kickstarter - MuddyColors.com
The Powerful Women of Pop Culture Get Their Own Portrait Show - Gizmodo
Artist Spotlight by Cory Godbey on MuddyColors.com
Ashly Lovett Interview by History of Mermaids
Women in Fantasy Illustration: Ashly Lovett Interview by Kiri Leonard
Featured Artist of the Month and Interview at Thalo.com

My Online Tutorials:
Digital Color Tutorial - Imagine FX Issue 201 - July 2021 
Chalk Pastel Tutorial - Graphite Magazine Issues 108 - July 2018
Demo Archive - Patreon
My Youtube Channel

How long have you been using chalk pastels?
I first used pastels and many other mediums when I started college in 2006. As I experimented during college, I eventually noticed that I naturally worked well with chalk pastels and charcoal. I like how forgiving the media can be. I can wipe it away quickly and it allows a lot of trial and error. This is ideal for developing attractive strokes. I exclusively started using pastels in 2013.

What education have you had?
I went to Ringling College of Art and Design and got my BA Illustration in 2006. I worked at a baby product company called Nuby for a little while doing character designs for Boots stores in the UK. After I had left there, I started freelancing doing logo designs for local companies, and I worked at a magazine as a graphic designer creating ads. Once leaving there, I was offered a 2 year full paid scholarship to attend John English’s Applied Arts program. I’ve been freelancing full time since 2015.

Do you spray fix your pastels?
I do not. I talk about why in this blog post.

How did you discover your style?
It took me many years to find a personal voice. It became apparent after an assignment from a teacher to do an exaggerated portrait. I talk about my journey in discovering my voice in this interview here: Women in Fantasy Illustration: Ashly Lovett Interview by Kiri Leonard.

How long does it take you to do a pastel?
It depends on the size of the piece. I’ve had pieces take me 1-2 hours. Others have taken 30+. Depends on the project.

What type of paper do you use?
Arches BFK Rives paper. Some people like Stonehenge paper, which is similar.

What pastel brands do you use?
I’ve been using Prismacolor NuPastels for years, but I’ve been trying out new brands recently, such as Koh-I-Noor soft pastels and pencils. I also like Sennelier brand because their pigments are so rich. However, they can be harmful if inhaled. Always wear a face mask in a well ventilated area when you work with pastels! I also have an air purifier when I work

Have you tried other medias with chalk pastel?
So far I’ve mixed water, mineral spirits, oils, gouache, ink, linseed oil, and markers with chalk pastels. I’ll continue to experiment and post samples on Patreon and my public blog.

Do you draw every day?
Yup!

How do you keep your pastel sticks clean?
I store my pastels in fishing tackle boxes filled with rice. It keeps them organized and fairly clean.