Pastels for the Absolute Beginner

by Rebecca de Mendonça

If you have ever wanted a complete course in using pastels but lacked the confidence to start, then Pastels for the Absolute Beginner is the book for you.

Take your first steps with pastels and learn how to produce modern, lively and colorful artwork with this exciting art medium.

This book is a complete course in using pastels. Step-by-step exercises and longer projects help you to build essential skills and allow you to produce a range of subjects, including landscapes, still life and animals. Vital drawing skills are explained and demonstrated, along with a section on color theory and a huge wealth of finished artwork to give you ideas and inspiration for your own future pastel work.

Genres: Art, Reference

128 pages, paperback

Published November 12, 2019

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from my library again to try more of the exercises. It's a good book, but I'm not convinced to buy it for my art reference library ... yet.

[Donna Mallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Pastel book!

It is hard to find a good book on learning pastels! This is one of the best I’ve seen. There are numerous paintings that I’m in awe of the details that can be captured using pastels! There are also numerous step by step paintings in a variety of subjects. The author covers and demonstrates many different techniques! All in all, this is a great book!

[Peter Herrmann · Rating 1 out of 5]

As an absolute beginner it didn't help me at all. Perhaps I failed the author, rather than author failed me. As with so many beginner art books, the author's artwork is dazzling and overwhelmingly accomplished ... and just makes my own efforts look worse than pathetic. Some of her examples are just prescriptive (i.e. without 'steps'); e.g. just go do a skyscape in such and such a way .. and her example is magnificent, and actually looks like a sky (unlike mine). Other examples/exercises have steps ... often close to 20. But as soon as I start Step 1, my work is already in deep trouble. Not sure why. I think some beginners need a hands-on instructor.

[Cameron Toney · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only trouble with borrowing art books from the library is that you must return them before you do all the exercises. Oh well.
This seems a solid guide, and perhaps I will borrow it again to see how I fare with the exercises.

[Karen Conger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. From A to Z!

The basics are the foundation and the variety of examples clarify the techniques. This is good for all skill levels.

[Carolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be written for the absolute beginner in pastels, but one should have some basic drawing knowledge. There are a few pages on drawing, but not enough to learn how to draw. The book's examples are all of accomplished work, not what a beginner can export to produce. It does show the great variety of work that pastels can produce, but doesn't really show the steps that an absolute beginner to art would need to make to get there.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I begin to pursue a new hobby, this is invaluable to start the process. I was always pushed into science and math when I grew up and have had no actual art classes, except for art appreciation. I look forward to the process and feel this is doable with this guidance. A lovely book with good beginner projects. I look forward to this fun new hobby.

[Sonia Bellhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good introduction that shows the versatility of pastels and demonstrates various techniques. What I particularly liked was the author showed a variety of subjects, including people and animals, and not just landscapes.

[Carol Hebden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very basic

[Shadowz Greymoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has helped me a lot in my online art course.