Pastels

Definition

Pastels are a drawing medium made from pure powdered pigments mixed with a binder to create sticks or pencils. They are known for their vibrant colors and soft texture, allowing for smooth application and blending, which makes them a popular choice in various artistic styles. The unique properties of pastels enable artists to achieve both fine detail and expressive strokes, giving them versatility in creating works of art.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pastels come in different forms, including soft, hard, and oil pastels, each offering unique properties for blending and layering.
2. Soft pastels are known for their high pigment content, resulting in brighter colors but requiring careful handling due to their fragility.
3. Hard pastels contain more binder, making them ideal for detailed work and fine lines while being less prone to breakage.
4. Oil pastels use an oil-based binder, allowing for a creamy texture and the ability to blend with solvents or fingers, differing from traditional chalk-like pastels.
5. Pastel artworks often require protective measures such as fixatives or framing under glass to prevent smudging and preserve the vibrancy of the colors.

Review Questions

• How do the properties of soft pastels influence the techniques artists use when creating a drawing?
  • The soft texture of soft pastels allows artists to apply color smoothly and blend easily, making them ideal for creating gradients and soft edges in their work. Artists can layer colors effectively, enhancing depth and vibrancy. This property encourages techniques like feathering and scumbling, which can lead to rich visual textures that are characteristic of pastel drawings.
• Discuss the differences between soft pastels and oil pastels regarding application techniques and finished effects.
  • Soft pastels rely on a chalky binder that produces a matte finish and is easily blendable with other colors on the paper. Artists often use their fingers or tools for blending. In contrast, oil pastels have an oil-based binder that allows for smoother application and creates a shiny finish. This leads to different techniques; oil pastels can be layered without dusting off previous layers, while soft pastels may require fixatives to hold layers together.
• Evaluate the importance of using fixatives on pastel artworks and how it affects preservation methods in art conservation.
  • Using fixatives on pastel artworks is crucial for preventing smudging and maintaining color integrity over time. Fixatives can help secure pastel particles to the paper, reducing the risk of damage from handling or environmental factors. In art conservation, understanding the role of fixatives aids conservators in choosing appropriate preservation techniques that protect the vibrancy of pastel pieces while ensuring that the artwork's original appearance is preserved as closely as possible.

Related terms

Pigment: A substance that provides color to materials; pigments are used in pastels and other art mediums to achieve specific hues.

Binder: A material used in art supplies, like pastels, to hold pigment particles together and allow them to adhere to the drawing surface.

Chalk: A soft, white mineral used as a drawing medium similar to pastels; it can be blended easily but has less vibrancy compared to colored pastels.