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.

The Pastel Journal

In Memoriam: Elizabeth Mowry MARCH 8, 1940–JULY 10, 2020 • The master pastel artist, teacher and author was known for her poetic imprint on common landscape components.

“Enduring Brilliance” Celebrates Two Hall of Fame Inductees • Pastelists Maceo Mitchell and Frederick Somers have been inducted into the Pastel Society of America’s Hall of Fame.

What’s Online • Discover more art, instruction and inspiration at ArtistsNetwork.com.

Too Good to Ignore • The adept portraiture of Rosalba Carriera gave pastels legitimacy as a fine art medium.

The Green Scene • Re-examining the way we think about green can lead to effective techniques for painting the color.

Plein Air Marathon • When your creativity supply is running a bit empty, a new challenge can be just the thing to provide a motivational kick-in-the-pants.

OBJECTS of THOUGHT • With a recent museum retrospective that coincided with the release of a new book on his work, G. Daniel Massad continues to blaze his own artistic trail, elevating the art of still life painting.

A VERY SPECIAL PAINTING

Embraced by SNOW • Landscape painter Mike Barret Kolasinski debunks the general perception of winter as cold and drab by depicting the allure of the season’s warm highlights and cool shadows.

TIPS FOR PAINTING SNOW

An Adventurous Heart • WITH NO IDEA OF WHAT A NEW PAINTING WILL LOOK LIKE WHEN IT’S FINISHED, HALLA SHAFEY ALLOWS HERSELF THE FREEDOM TO BE AMAZED.

Hold the Line • Irish artist Eileen Healy’s commitment to drawing from a live model—and her love of line—infuse her pastels with vitality.

Putting the “Soul” in Shoes

The Shades of Night • AS DARKNESS FALLS, STAN SPERLAK RELISHES SKIES AND SITUATIONS THAT HE FINDS MUCH MORE INTRIGUING TO PAINT THAN WHAT HE SEES DURING THE DAY.

Local Color • Cincinnati artist Ray Hassard rediscovers his hometown with some not-so-far-afield plein air excursions.

Edit the Scene

Finding the Sweet Spot

Plein Air Toolkits

Break Some Rules