Pastels are rich in color, portable, and ready to use. Rounded, square-edged, or shaped sticks, 1”- 4” length, they are rolled/shaped by hand or machine pressed into shape using pure pigment powder mixed with minimal binders. Depending on the mixture of binders and pigment, pastels have a wide range of hard and soft formulas that aid in the type of markings the artist wishes to make resulting in “buttery” soft strokes as well as precise linework. Pressed pastel powder in small round plastic containers is a recent addition to the pastel medium and can be applied with a variety of sponge tools. Pastels also can be found in pencil form. The pastelist “paints” with pastels just as the oil painter paints with oils.

The painting surface for pastels varies greatly, as well, with many kinds of smooth and textured papers, mats, and boards to choose from. A widely desirous surface to paint on is rough sanded paper, which gives the pastel mark a “toothy” hold and accepts a number of layered markings. Other smoother surfaces allow soft blending of colors that acheive a deep velvety richness hard to duplicate.

Generally, pastel works need the protective shield of glass or plexiglass to protect the painting surface from accidental smudging. Glazing with a good UV rating also helps to block damaging ultraviolet rays from reaching the pastel painting surface. A good practice with any artwork is to avoid direct sunlight. Pastel also benefits from a dry environment as high humidity can buckle paper if paper is used alone as a substrate. There are always exceptions to a rule and rules depend upon materials used.

The pastel medium has been used for hundreds of years in the art world and continues to grow in popularity each passing year. Those of us who find great pleasure in the use of pastels invite you to give them a try!