The Wonders of Pastel

Do you know what pastels are? They are basically pigment combined with filler and a binder. The amount of filler used controls the hue (the color and shade of that color).

Pastels have been in existence since the 15^thcentury and the word “pastel” was first used in 1662. In the early 1700s, Parisian’s would commission portraits of themselves in pastel. The invention of cast plate glass made it possible for larger pastel paintings to be created and protected from the environment. Pastels were praised because of their lifelike quality and the way the medium reflects light due to the absence of varnish.

The medium was held in high regard. The number of pastel makers, fewer sittings required by the subject, no drying time, less equipment and lower costs helped to give the medium notoriety.

Pastels lost their appeal later in the 1700s and early to mid 1800s and were typically used as studies at that time but then regained appeal in the late 1800s. Contemporary pastelists are working hard to prove to collectors that the pastel medium is just as valuable and archival as oil paint.

Personally, I love to use pastel when painting animals. I find I can create the look of fur more effortlessly. I work on sanded paper called UArt. The UArt is manufactured with a number of different grits, but my favorite is 400 grit. It is just coarse enough to hold many layers of pastel. My pastels of choice are mostly Girault and Terry Ludwigs with Caran d’ache pastel pencils. I work from photo reference of images I take myself when visiting zoos or other places such as animal sanctuaries.

Pastel
$425

You Don’t Know What I Know  Sold

Yes, pastels are messy. Latex or vinyl gloves help. If you don’t like wearing gloves while working you can use a barrier cream like Gloves in a Bottle prior to working. Creating a tray of aluminum foil under your support helps collect stray pastel dust that may fall while you are working.

To spray fix your work is your decision. I personally do not spray fix mine as it tends to darken and dull the pastel. Instead, I tap my work over a trashcan to get rid of any loose pastel particles sitting on the surface of the piece. Be sure your framer uses spacers to keep the glass away from the surface of your work.

I know that framed properly and handled with care my pastel paintings will survive a very long time. I also know that they are just as valuable as oil paintings.