Pastel Book, The: Materials and Techniques for Today's Artist

This is hands down my favourite book on pastels.It covers lots of different subjects and introduces many innovative ways of working with them including combining use of pencils as well various painting mediums and even irridescent pastels.There are loads of examples I particularly liked that he included oil pastels as well.

This is one of the better books. Well written and informative but not dull. I really like it and I am not a beginner so books have to appeal to more levels if they are really good, this one is.

This was a gift to my daughter who has recently taken up pastels again, she was pleased and has gotten some useful tips from it

Well worth the money

The best book on pastels I have every come across

Husband loves this.

I am in two minds about this book. On the one hand, as a beginner, I found the opening section discussing materials and tools very informative, and much of the theory is fine. What I struggle with is the application of the theory. The author has a highly individual and probably unusual painting style which I (and I strongly suspect many others) just do not find in any way appealing. I can honestly say that there is barely a picture in this book (and there are many of them) that I like. And as all the demonstrations are accomplished in this particular style I did not find them very useful on the whole. I think it is a big mistake to have used only the author's work. It would have been far more likely to have had a wider appeal if different artists work had been used. So, while there was much useful material, overall I was disappointed with this book.

I like the book and apprciated learning some techniques that were new to me. I wish I could find out more about the books I buy before I buy them. The books I buy are attractive and contain, for the most part, good information but some of the books I buy give me information that I already know. If I went to a bookshop on the High Street I could browsw before making a purchase. When I buy from Amazon I have more books to choose from and that is great, especially as I find it hard to get to the shops but unfortunately I know less about the books online than I do about the ones on the High Street.

Bem didático. Livro fantástico!

I was looking for a book that had a decent info on oil pastels, and this book really goes beyond my expectations. I am so happy with it. The book has also the most beautiful dedication I have ever read (and I am not romantic kind). Truly recommended.

I wish I had this book when I first started working in pastels. I have read countless magazines, blogs and books for advice on pastel products. This book saves you time and money by giving you straight information on brands of pastels and papers and boards. Although choices finally comes down to each person's preferences and the amount of money they are willing to invest, it helps to have good advice so that you do not need to try every product yourself. Although it does not cover every brand of paper, board or primer, it is fairly comprehensive and up to date. The techniques section is also very comprehensive, going beyond basic underpainting advice found in most sources, including acrylic mediums which are featured in current magazines and blogs. And from there it moves into oil pastels and other modern painting media. There are step-by-step demonstration pieces for each painting media combination. Although I have been working in pastels for several years, I am finding this book to be an eye-opening resource that I feel will help me move my art forward.

This book goes in to detail about types of pastels, paper, tools, and techniques. There are detailed step by step instructions on creating ever more challenging pieces in different styles of pastel painting. This book also dedicates a small section to mixed media, and oil pastel use as well.

Fair