Pastels have become my favorite medium, a perfect choice for the plein air painting that I enjoy.  I like the textures you can get with the different papers available and I enjoy the  variety of pastels sticks and pencils, and how some are softer than others.  When I do demonstrations in pastels for art associations or for the classes I teach, I have to rely on my photos for inspiration, but painting out on location is always my first choice.