I find that when i mix my gournd pastels with tamiya thinner or turpentine the pastels quickly settle at the bottom. How do I avoid this? What is the best medium to dissolve classroom chalk?

what i do is just put the pastels on the tank.
after the dull coat has dryed.
the pastels stay on ther for a long time.
and jus blow away any pastels that u dont want on the tank.
i never mix my pastels with thinner

I use it two ways. One is I add thinners to the pastels to make like a thick wash. The pastels do drop to the bottom, but I just stir it up with the brush and it lifts enough of both to work. I also dip my brush into thinner and then into the pastels to get a heavier concentration.

Choice of method depends on what Im useing the pastels for. To simulate dust and weathering. I use the wash method. When dirtying up the running gear, wheels, hull and tracks, I use the thinner - damp brush and dip into the pastels dust. This works well as I use different colours of pastels. So when the next colour is added, it blends slighlty with the previous colour as there is extra pastels deposited. This method works good on exhausts as well.
I prefer to use thinner with the pastels as they as less likely to blow off over time. When the thinner dries out, the pastels are pretty solid.

Hi there

This is a technique I never come across - I always use pastels dry and seal them with a clear coat.

I'll try it on my next aircraft - it sounds particularly good for exhausts. :-)

On larger area do you have trouble with "tidemarks" forming as the wash dries?

All the best

Rowan