pastell

Pastels are a drawing medium consisting of pigment bound with a binder and formed into sticks, pencils, or crayon-like shapes. The main varieties are soft pastels, hard pastels, pastel pencils, and oil pastels. Soft pastels use a high amount of pigment with a light binder, yielding rich color and a velvety finish that blends easily; hard pastels have a firmer binder for more control and sharper lines; pastel pencils combine pastel pigment with a binder in a pencil form; oil pastels use a wax or oil binder, producing a creamy texture and less dust.

Pastels have a long artistic history. They gained prominence in Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries as a convenient, portable medium for portrait drawing. The French school of pastel portraiture flourished in the 18th century with artists such as Rosalba Carriera influencing later work. In the 19th century, Edgar Degas and other artists expanded the medium beyond portraiture, exploring gesture, movement, and urban scenes. Since the late 20th century, pastels have remained a versatile choice for drawing and mixed-media practice.

Techniques and materials are closely linked to the surface. Pastels are typically used on textured papers designed for pastel work, such as colored, rag, or sanded papers, or on primed canvas. Artists build color through multiple layers, blend with fingers, tortillons, or soft brushes, and may use fixatives to stabilize dust and protect the finished piece. Burnishing and layering can create dense color and subtle transitions, while careful handling helps preserve a delicate, powdery surface.

Safety and conservation considerations include managing pastel dust, which can irritate the eyes and lungs. Adequate ventilation, masks when needed, and minimal handling of loose dust are advised. Finished works are usually framed behind glass to protect the surface.