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Pastel Painting: The comprehensive guide to soft pastels

by Christopher Reid

A practical course in soft pastel painting

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A practical course in soft pastel painting

Christopher Reid’s guide spans the full working process of soft pastel painting, from selecting supplies and preparing a workspace to planning, completing, storing, framing, and photographing finished work. Its instruction combines demonstrations and diagrams with discussion of color theory, mixing, layering, glazing, blending, lines, edges, and ways to build depth. The book also addresses working from photographs, including their limitations, and explains how to mix a wide range of colors with a small pastel selection. Step-by-step demonstrations of complex paintings give the techniques a practical context, while the coverage of why methods work aims to support independent decision-making beyond following examples.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Beginners seeking instruction across the stages of pastel painting.
  • Experienced pastel artists looking to explore techniques, color, and painting process.
  • Artists interested in practical guidance on supplies, finished-work care, and working from photographs.

Themes

Soft pastel techniquesColor theory and mixingPlanning and developing paintingsArt materials and workspaceStoring and presenting finished artwork

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Whether you are an absolute beginner or advanced pastelist, this is the book you have been waiting for. The most comprehensive book on soft pastels available, from a master artist with over 30 years of experience. Secrets of pastel painting are revealed with explanations of techniques, detailed demos, and easy to understand diagrams. Learn methods that produce better results, and also why they work, giving you a deeper understanding of pastel and art in general.

 

Creating art should be fun, not frustrating. Many how-to books teach how to follow along but not how to create your own artwork. This book covers every stage of the process, from choosing supplies to professional advice on what to do after a painting is finished. This book dives deep into understanding color, mixing, and more. Chris balances encouragement with skill-building to push your art forward. This is a complete art instruction course packed into a book.

 

Inside you'll find:

  • Lessons for all skill levels
  • Money saving tips for choosing supplies
  • Blending, mixing, layering, glazing, lines, edges
  • Adding depth to your paintings
  • Techniques, sequencing, color theory
  • How to mix any color accurately with few pastels
  • Working from photos and their limitations
  • Planning a painting & setting up your workspace for success
  • Protect your paintings without fixative
  • Storing, framing, & photographing artwork
  • Step by step demos of complex paintings
  • Painting process from start to finish
  • Packed with color illustrations and beautiful artwork
  • And much more!
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