Pastels Hints & Tips

Pastels, as we know them, have been in use for more than 250 years. The great attraction for artists is the immediacy of pure pigment applied directly to the paper. First popularised by Rosalba Carriera, it is perhaps the drawings of Degas which make pastels so very famous. The earliest pastels were of quite a hard texture but as artists began to use more and more colour, the need for softer pastels increased.

Brimming with tips and hints, this section provides much of the information you’ll need for continued success in pastel painting. For beginners, good groundwork will give early success, whilst for professionals, a fresh look at the materials available can often bring a welcome opportunity to try new things.