Pastel Artist's Bible: An Essential Reference for the Practicing Artist

by Claire Waite Brown (Editor)

Discover the unique joys of pastel painting with this easy-to-use guide to one of the most versatile and forgiving mediums. More than 100 visual sequences reveal key techniques such as mixing, blending, scumbling, sgraffito, hatching and feathering. Includes tips on composing your painting, using color, adding highlights and shadows, and creating textured effects. Step-by-step demonstrations show how to approach a range of subjects from landscapes and flowers to portraits and still life. Over 65,000 copies sold worldwide.This information-packed book is divided into five sections. The first, Materials, introduces you to the range of pastels and papers that is available to you, with examples of how paper textures and colors can affect your work. The Color section looks at the principles of color and gives suggestions for mixing colors and choosing a basic palette, especially important since manufacturers produce a bewildering array of colored pastels.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Reference

192 pages, Spiral-bound

First published July 1, 2006

Reviews

[Penny Van nostrand]

Pastels

Loved this book reminded me of the many techniques I learned in college. A very good course review, with many pictures to demonstrate the techniques to the reader.

[5t4n5 Dot Com]

A worthwhile read if you’re interested in getting into pastels and wanting to know more.

[Eleonora Ronconi]

Very complete!

A really thorough introduction to pastels. As a beginner, this book has everything I need. I highly recommend it :)

[James]

Nothing spectacular but some good refresher on basic techniques. Would recommend to beginners.

[John Davis]

Had great hopes for this book as a practicing artist, but, new to pastels. In my opinion, this book is for the most part, useless. Money would have been better spent on pastels. Among other things, is has pages of pastel sample mixes and overlays that don't reproduce the actual intended colors. I have tried them out. One would be better served by experimentation.The sample exercises are not thorough enough for someone starting out. I have a feeling, that Mrs/Ms Waite is a teacher who decided to publish a book. One of the anonymous samples, I think, is her own work, and, it is not very accomplished, to say the least.I have learned much, much more by suscribing to Pastel Journal magazine.