The Best of Pastel

The Best of Pastel

Pastels are pure pigment, taken from the stones of the earth. One of the oldest of all media, pure pigment paintings have been found on the walls of caves in Altamira, Spain and Lascaux, France. The Best of Pastels is a wonderful collection of more than two hundred works of art created by masters in the medium of pastel. Juried by award-winning pastel artists Constance Flavell Pratt and Janet Monafo, with an introduction by Flora B. Giffuni, founder of the Pastel Society of America, this is an essential volume for all who are fascinated by the beautiful medium of pastel. Introduction; Dear Pastel Enthusiasts, Welcome to the Renaissance of Pastels. Before I delve into the little-known history of our medium, let me describe what pastels are and what they are not! Pastels have been misnamed chalks - limestone treated with colored dye - and crayons - those waxy colored sticks our children play with: Real pastels, however, are pure pigment; obtained from the stones in the earth and ground into powered form. The difference between pastels, oil paints, watercolor paints, and gouache or tempera media, is the binder. Methyl cellulose is used, instead of the oil, gum arabic or egg binders used in the others. This liquid is mixed with the powder, to form a paste; thus, the word "pastel" is related to the French word "pastiche". The paste is rolled into short sticks and allowed to dry. The pastels are then applied to any ground with a "tooth"-paper, cardboard, canvas, cloth, or on masonite.