I've been trying to get into painting (I've mainly done pencil drawing before). I got an oil painting kit for my birthday and was gutted to find out that some oil paints are toxic (to the point of having lead in!), the turps are toxic, and oily rags can self-combust! Not suited to my one-bed flat at all.
So yesterday I bought some cheap pastels from WH Smith's. I thought - what can go wrong? I had pastels as a kid; we used them in art class at school. Then I googled them and read with dismay that they apparently generate a prolific and microscopic dust which could stay in your lungs forever and (depending on the pigment) be carcinogenic! It recommended using them with a face mask and gloves in a ventilated area and vacuuming/showering straight after!
Have I just stumbled upon a load of scaremongering or are pastels even out to kill us? Do I just have to give up on colours and go back to pencil?