Getting started in pastels

[Tammy Nielsen]

Hi Everyone. I really enjoy and learn from all of your posts. I have a question. I just acquired a full portrait pastel set and use it each day for portraits of people and horses. I really need any basic help you can give. I have read and continue to read Chris Saper's book "Painting Beautiful Skin Tones." But how to use the pastels, how to make a sharp edge etc.

Thanks,
Tammy

[Michele Rushworth]

I think learning how to use any medium for the first time is probably beyond the scope of a forum like this, much as I'd like to try to help you! There are lots of good books and classes that teach pastels and that would probably be a better way to start. Good luck to you!

[Chris Saper]

Hi Tammy,

There is very little out there is the way of pastel technique-specific books.You might look at Harley Brown's Eternal Truths for Every Artist, and Paul Leveille's book Painting Expressive Pastel Portraits. I think though, that your best bet in terms of observing technique would be Daniel Greene's video (ordering info in the Resource Bibliography of my book). If you have the opportunity to catch a workshop, that would be best of all. That way you can experiment hands-on, while someone is there to guide you. So much of pastel is just experimenting!

Go to the Wet vs dry medium section of the forum, under this category.

Good luck,

Chris