Painting With Pastels
Pastels are a unique painting medium in that the colors are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending, rather than on a palette. Here you'll find helpful tips, essential techniques, and step-by-step demonstrations on pastel painting.
Pastel Painting Step-by-step Seascape Demonstration
Follow the development of a pastel painting of a seascape from start to finish in this step-by-step demonstration.
Follow the development of a pastel painting of a seascape from start to finish in this step-by-step demonstration.
Brands of Pastels. Which Pastels are Best?
Which is the best brand of pastels on the market? Here's a personal selection (and reasons why).
Which is the best brand of pastels on the market? Here's a personal selection (and reasons why).
Painting with Pastels: Basic Techniques for Pastels
An introduction to the various ways in which pastels can be used in a painting.
An introduction to the various ways in which pastels can be used in a painting.
Stuck in an Artistic Rut? Try Pastel Painting.
Stuck in an artistic rut? You should try pastel painting. Read how an impulse to buy a box of pastels renewed an interest in art after 20 years.
Stuck in an artistic rut? You should try pastel painting. Read how an impulse to buy a box of pastels renewed an interest in art after 20 years.
How To Select Suitable Pastel Colors
How to select a basic set of pastels that includes light, mid, and dark tones, plus some essential earth colors.
How to select a basic set of pastels that includes light, mid, and dark tones, plus some essential earth colors.
Tips on Buying Pastel Art Supplies
Pastels are sticks of ground pigment mixed with chalk and gum or oil, then shaped into 'drawing sticks'. Pastels cannot be mixed on a palette like paints, but are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending. Find out what you should consider when buying pastels and pastel paper.
Pastels are sticks of ground pigment mixed with chalk and gum or oil, then shaped into 'drawing sticks'. Pastels cannot be mixed on a palette like paints, but are mixed on the paper by overlaying or blending. Find out what you should consider when buying pastels and pastel paper.
How to Fix a Broken Pastel
What do you do with the bits of broken pastels that you're left with? Don't throw them away, it's simple to make some new pastel sticks. You can also use this method to fix a broken new pastel.
What do you do with the bits of broken pastels that you're left with? Don't throw them away, it's simple to make some new pastel sticks. You can also use this method to fix a broken new pastel.
How to Make Your Own Pastels
The basic ingredients of pastels are simple: pigment, a filler, and a binder. Here are two pastel recipes, for making your own cheap pastels and true pastels.
The basic ingredients of pastels are simple: pigment, a filler, and a binder. Here are two pastel recipes, for making your own cheap pastels and true pastels.
Pastel Art Supplies: Review of Fabriano Tiziano Pastel Paper
This paper from Fabriano is a good, acid-free paper suitable for not only pastels, but also pencil, graphite, charcoal, and tempera.
This paper from Fabriano is a good, acid-free paper suitable for not only pastels, but also pencil, graphite, charcoal, and tempera.
Pastel Painting Demos by Chicago Artist Gary Wick
A collection of step-by-step pastel painting demos by Chicago-based artist Gary Wick. Some have only a few steps, others loads.
A collection of step-by-step pastel painting demos by Chicago-based artist Gary Wick. Some have only a few steps, others loads.
A History of Pastels
An outline of the history of pastel painting, which began some 250 years ago. While an interesting read, it's a pity that it doesn't have any links to any of the paintings mentioned.
An outline of the history of pastel painting, which began some 250 years ago. While an interesting read, it's a pity that it doesn't have any links to any of the paintings mentioned.
Pink Iris Pastel Demonstration
A four-step pastel demonstration by Thelma Davis of how she painted her Pink Iris, with detailed descriptions of what she did at each stage, starting how she prepared her support.
A four-step pastel demonstration by Thelma Davis of how she painted her Pink Iris, with detailed descriptions of what she did at each stage, starting how she prepared her support.
Roche Pastels
A delightful tale by Barry Katz, on his efforts to track down the maker of "the world's best pastels", as used by Degas.
A delightful tale by Barry Katz, on his efforts to track down the maker of "the world's best pastels", as used by Degas.