Pastellityöt

Pastellityöt refers to artworks created using pastels. Pastels are a drawing medium made from pure powdered pigment bound with a minimal binder. They are available in two main forms: soft pastels and oil pastels. Soft pastels are dry and powdery, allowing for rich color saturation and easy blending. Oil pastels, on the other hand, contain oil and wax binders, making them smoother and more crayon-like in application.

The process of creating pastellityöt involves applying pastel directly to a surface, typically paper, card, or canvas. Artists can use the sides of the pastel sticks for broad strokes or the ends for finer details. Blending is a common technique, achieved with fingers, tortillons (rolled paper sticks), or soft cloths, to create smooth transitions and subtle shading. The dry nature of soft pastels means that finished works are fragile and usually require fixing with a spray varnish to prevent smudging.

Pastellityöt are appreciated for their vibrant colors, luminous qualities, and the ability to achieve effects similar to oil painting. Artists throughout history, including Edgar Degas and Mary Cassatt, have utilized pastels to capture movement and light. The medium is versatile, suitable for a wide range of subjects from portraits and landscapes to still lifes.