Mixing it up

Someone asked me recently if I ever try the same recipe twice.  They were referring to cooking which is one of my other hobbies, but it's also a valid question for painting.  The answer is no, and here's why.  I feel like everything I paint is still an experiment.  News flash:  I have no idea what I'm doing.  At least that's what it seems like a lot of the time. The possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to techniques, color schemes, etc., and my goal with each painting is to find something that will work for that particular painting.  So with that in mind, let me explain the strategy behind the painting  "The Girl with the Red Umbrella".  I knew as soon as I saw how this photograph turned out that I must paint it. It was taken in Tokyo moments after a downpour about a year ago.  The reflections were perfect, the contrasts just right, and the people seemed to be posing for me it was so on point.  But back to me not knowing anything about painting.  I knew from the start that this was going to be a pastel painting, not watercolor.  But once I figured out the medium, the age old question came up again: where do I start? I still struggle with pastels- I am convinced I make them harder than they need to be. Blog readers, if you have any tips, let me know! I have finally figured out that I'm not the underpainting type when it comes to pastels.  So at least I know that much. Oh, and I'm singing up for pastel class again so keep your fingers crossed for me it doesn't get cancelled again for the 4th time.