The Pastel Journal

Pastel Journal covers topics of interest to working pastelists as well as those who work in pastel as an additional medium along with those who are just experimenting with the medium.

Painting & Poetry

The Pastel Journal

The Wright Touch • With several recent exhibitions of his work and a major honor from the Pastel Society of America, 2023 has been a good year for artist and pastel champion Jimmy Wright.

KUDOS TO THE PSA TOP 4

SAVE THE DATE!

Again … and Again … and Again … • American philosopher Will Durant once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” When it comes to working in a series, truer words were never spoken. Liz Haywood-Sullivan shares what painting the same subject on repeat can do for you.

A Series in Action

BOLD & BALANCED • CANADIAN ARTIST CHRISTINE CAMILLERI TAPS INTO HER ADVENTUROUS PERSONALITY AND CREATIVITY TO TELL NATURE’S STORIES IN EXPRESSIVE COLOR.

AN UNEXPECTED ROUTE TO PASTEL

WORKSHOPPING THE WORK

demonstration The Watchful One

Portraits of a Place • FOR HILARIE COUTURE, PAINTING PORTRAITS IS LESS ABOUT PRODUCING A PHOTOGRAPHIC LIKENESS AND MORE ABOUT RECREATING THE SPIRIT, ENERGY AND MOOD OF THE MOMENT

along the path • EMMA COLBERT’S ANIMAL PORTRAITURE DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM THE SPLENDOR OF NATURE, THE PLAY OF LIGHT AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF SELF.

ODE TO A LOVED ONE

SOFT AS A KITTEN

MAKING ART SAY MORE • PERSONAL OBJECTS AND SHARED SYMBOLS HELP CAROLYN ROBLES CREATE MEANINGFUL PORTRAITS AND ALLEGORICAL WORKS WITH DEEPER MESSAGES.

STORYTELLING TOOLS TO REMEMBER

Marks of Distinction • Every year, in the Strokes of Genius Competition, we ask artists to submit their best work in any drawing medium. Although the majority of the works are done in graphite, charcoal and ink, the competition isn’t limited to black-and-white media. Here, we are delighted to unveil 11 pastel works that are featured among the 100+ finalists. Within the delicate strokes and rich hues of these works lies a testament to the power of pastel—capturing moments, emotions and stories with great finesse.

Dreaming the American West • KIM LORDIER SEAMLESSLY MELDS COLOR, TEMPERATURE AND VALUE TO PORTRAY WORLDS TRANSFORMED BY LIGHT.

THE PATH TO ART

demonstration As the Day Grows Long

The Colors of White • Allow the whites in your paintings to come alive with reflected color.

Art at Sea • A plein air odyssey uncovers the artistry that’s ever-present in the great outdoors. This is a story of creative inspiration, camaraderie and the pristine beauty of the Alaskan wilderness—as seen through the eyes of an artist-instructor and a group of fellow artists eager to travel, paint and learn.

Start From Sketch