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How to Store, Frame and Ship Pastel Paintings: Protecting Your Finished Artwork Art Supplies Unboxed: Final Entry This post wraps up my Art Supplies Unboxed
Why Awards Matter in Western Art In the world of Western Art, recognition doesn’t come easy. When an artist earns awards—especially from juried competitions or
Original Western Art pastel paintings by Barby Schacher on display during the 2023 American Plains Art Show at the Fort Concho Museum in San Angelo, TX.
The Collector’s Guide to Western Art – Pastel Paintings Everything You Need to Know to Invest in Original Western Artwork You’ll Love for a Lifetime
Discover why I choose pastel pencils as my primary medium for creating realistic, emotionally rich Western art — from wildlife to horses, and everything in between. Pastel pencils offer the perfect balance of precision and softness for capturing the spirit of the American West.
Essential Studio Tools That Support My Pastel Painting Process Creating detailed pastel paintings takes more than just pencils. It takes the right surface, the right
“Inspiration for my Western pastel art starts with a lifetime of memories—from swimming horses in the river with friends to riding into town for ice cream cones. In this post, I share how those unforgettable ranch life experiences continue to shape my creative process and guide the stories I bring to life in pastel.”
In Part 3 of my Creative Process Series, I’m diving into how I use reference photos—not just as a guide, but as a storytelling tool. I’ll share how I select my sources, the importance of composition and lighting, and how I build a scene that feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Featuring my painting Horse Prairie Roundup, this post takes you behind the scenes from inspiration to finished work.
Discover why I rely on pastel pencils for fine detail in my Western Art, including tips on brands, color selection, and tools that help me achieve rich texture and precision in every piece.
Discover how I build a pastel painting from the ground up—starting with light graphite guidelines and working in careful layers of color. In Part 4 of my Creative Process Series, I walk you through my step-by-step pastel layering process, including how I develop fine details and work around backgrounds.
Discover how I finish a pastel painting with final details, shadows, and highlights before applying fixative. Part 5 of my Creative Process Series.
“Thankful for the Dawn” is an award-winning Western Art pastel painting by Barb Schacher featuring two American bison in a snowy dawn landscape. This original buffalo pastel painting earned 1st Place in the WARA Western Art competition and captures the quiet strength of wildlife in winter.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the heart of Western pastel art. In each edition of Barb’s Western Art Journal, I share exclusive previews of new paintings, collector updates, studio insights, upcoming shows, and the real-life stories that inspire my work.
Whether you’re a passionate art collector, a fellow creative, or simply someone who loves the spirit of the West, this newsletter brings you closer to the craft, culture, and character of Western art.
Early access to new original pastel artworks
Collector news, show announcements & availability alerts
Step-by-step looks at my artistic process
Personal stories from ranch life & rodeo memories
A peek into the tools, materials, and references I use
Direct updates from my studio, written just for you
Thanks for being part of my Western art journey. I’m honored to share the stories and spirit behind each piece with you—and I can’t wait to bring you along for the ride.
If you value handcrafted Western art that captures the soul of the land and the people who live it, you’ll feel right at home here. Each issue of my journal is crafted with care—just like my artwork. No spam, no fluff. Just authentic stories, inspiration, and art you can feel.
📬 Expect one or two thoughtfully written emails a month—nothing more.
Fill out the form below and I’ll welcome you inside the Journal.
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