I have been a member of the Pastel Society of North Carolina for several years. Pastel is a wonderful media that combines drawing and painting into one evolving process with line, color, shape ,and texture.
I admit that i don't use pastel in the "accepted" manner of soft pastel only. I primarily draw with pastel and use the nu-pastel brand of hard pigement with Grumbacker soft pastel only when I need a bold area of color.
Someday I plan to attend a meeting of the PSNC which meets in the Chapel Hill area. Under the statement about oil painting I mentioned the "Rubinist" approach to painting. I might even do a Rubinist pastel some day........... It could Happen !