Warning: These are my steps, and may not be those of other artists or beginners!

Get hold of a box of inexpensive pastels, or half pastels.     There are an amazing number of types, sizes, and quantities and brands.  As a beginner, don’t fret about these because it is best to go one step at a time.

Buy some pastel paper or a pad. If you are on a tight budget, use wallpaper, kraft paper or any suitable or attractve  material.  Include in that description, wrapping paper, sand paper, board, wood etc.   The surface is important, as you will discover.

Get inspired.  Without this, it will not work

By this I mean looking at someone else’s work in a newspaper, exhibition, or magazine. The google images site is a great place for inspiration.  ( It leaves me with the urge to get on with it!) 

Technique is a process and normally improves with practise.  First efforts may not be great, but what is important is to produce something that has some merit TO YOU and shouts out to you that a certain aspect needs improvement.

Try creating your portrait from a suitable photo, the larger, the better.

Using a single pastel, or a piece of charcoal, draw the outline of the head. Note the eyes are approx halfway between the top of the head, and the chin.  Getting the positioning right is so important, it is critical to the finished product, and many established artists see this as the key to a successful portrait.    Everyone now has a different technique!  It’s a free for all.     Many people, like myself start putting in the eyes as they tend to dominate the finished item.  Again, the precise location is so important, but the good news is that alterations and shifting of the eyes, nose, or mouth is relatively easy, and often the norm. 

First target: Getting a likeness is  is a worthwhile target

This will happen after many attempts.  When someone says  ” Oh, that looks like ….. ”  (assuming it is the person you are trying to create a portrait of)   you have made that first important step. 

The blending of skin tones, using a finger can be fun. It can be frustrating, so use a piece of spare paper or the material you are working on, to experiment.  The success in getting the effect you are striving for, depends on the surface and the technique employed. There are many fancy methods, but what is important is to please yourself first!  Hatching is popular.  ( see the various results on line at Google Images)

Be Bold

Many of us can be too cautious or timid when starting out.  Be bold and reckless, and see the results.  Some efforts will end up in the trash, but so what. You are striving for that special result, and you will get so much pleasure from trying, and from the work that results.

After this, it is a continuous process of improvement.   That inspiration must always be close to hand, because it is human nature to flag a bit, and even to get disillusioned. This is natural, and not the end of the road!

Practice, practice, practice, is the key.  Try new subjects, new angles, and different sizes.  Something there will give a pleasing effect and the urge to display the results.

Good Luck!