The Pastel Society – Member of the Federation of British Artists

For more information about the Federation of British Artists please view the promotional video:
https://youtu.be/IAyqHNAlfMM

To View The Magic of Pastel

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To View ‘In Conversation with Carole Hubscher CEO of Caran d’Ache’

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FBA Fundraiser – FBA Editions

Prints for a Cause
Limited Edition Prints from the Federation of British Artists
To view the full range of prints available:
https://www.mallgalleries.org.uk/exhibitions-events/fundraiser-fba-editions

Pastel Society Members Tanya Avchinnikova and Ian Rawling are featured.

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THE ReMARK August 2026

Dear Reader,

“Drawn to Colour”
The title for The Annual Pastel Society Exhibition 2027

Between you and me, so please keep this to yourself, we nearly had another title; ‘Common Ground.’ It may be an all too familiar subject right now when I say that I have always thought of The Pastel Society as having a headquarters spreading across the whole of the UK whilst once a year, we celebrate a moment at the Mall Galleries in London. In the future, I hope we have more moments of celebration around the country but that’s for another time.

As I write this, I look out on the hills of Bath, in the adjoining room, the Dorset suite, Martin, our vice President tries to make sense of my wandering mind, Cheryl, down the corridor in the east of England, runs the whole website HQ and currently, hampered by the tragic fires in Suffolk, Michelle updates our growing following on Instagram. I could continue to describe the HQ and the dedicated artists that run it, but I know you do not have the time right now.

But, in my own long-winded way what I am trying to highlight is that we and you and all those people who manufacturer our materials, who love to draw and paint in pastel and dry media, who love to experience those individual moments of artistry and, dare I say, might buy a one-off piece of contemporary work to enjoy in their own office or home are all bringing us together onto common ground.

But with ‘Drawn to Colour’, our message is still the same and with the guidance and experience of like-minded professionals at the Mall Galleries and The Federation of British Artists, we choose to catch your attention through ‘Colour.’ Along with narrative, composition, drawing and tone, it is one of the five important components to our work. Colour can be divisive but since humanities first work in The Chauvet Caves, mark making in colour has caught our attention and brought us together. That is the message behind the title we chose this year, and I hope one that all you wonderful artists out there in the UK and beyond will join us in celebrating in pastel, dry media and mixed media.

Finally, I will repeat my message from the editorial last month. We hope for more submissions, and we would like to find more talented artists who might become members. We will not drop standards, but we will find space for work that demands attention. Yes, it costs time and money. Unfortunately, money is a very important element for every one of us, from the individual to societies like ours and to larger institutions like The FBA that are needed to promote a national but common ground in The Arts. My best advice is to remember that acceptance can be more than just ‘15 minutes of fame.’ Acceptance enters your name into the archives of a national institution for life and may well lead to so much more. No one can promise sales and there are no guarantees to success but without trying and being willing to bear some disappointment, none of us will progress and our way of life will change and not necessarily for the good.

The opening date for submissions is Monday 17 August at 12 noon
but please check the Mall Galleries website and read the submission guidance. Frame well, price wisely and ask for advice if in doubt. We are here to help, encourage and consider any request that challenges our guidelines. Good painting and fingers crossed!

Simon B. Hodges PPS
info.thepastelsociety@gmail.com