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.

It’s Personal

PASTEL Journal

Daniel E. Greene: In Memoriam • Considered one of the preeminent pastelists in America, at the age of 86, the renowned artist was still painting every day and teaching as often as possible until his passing on April 5, 2020.

Dealing With Rejection • Steven Spielberg was rejected three times from the University of Southern California’s School of Theatre, Film and Television. J. K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was turned away by 12 publishers before it was finally accepted. In 1956, the Museum of Modern Art passed on a drawing by Andy Warhol. There are many reasons why an artist’s work might be rejected. Caroll Michels offers ideas for navigating the rough patches and continuing to move your art forward.

Unrivaled • Having come late to pastel, Thomas Anshutz handled the medium as he would oil impasto—with impressive results.

MEXICO: En Plein Air and Beyond • San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is an artist’s paradise with colorful vistas and streetscapes—and a mighty legion of urban sketchers.

A PARADIGM OF BEAUTY • MELISSA HEFFERLIN COMBINES OUT-OF THE-BOX THINKING WITH RESOLUTE DISCIPLINE IN PERFECTING HER ART.

Sidestep to Oils

ARTIST, TEACHER, MENTOR, SAGE • IN HER NINTH DECADE, AWARD-WINNING PAINTER AND BELOVED INSTRUCTOR BERT COLLINS CONTINUES TO INSPIRE OTHERS WITH HER ART AND ATTITUDE.

The Most Important Part of the Process

Painting Rock

CATCHING FIRE • WHEN ARTIST KRISTIN DIVERS FIRST STEPPED INSIDE A BUSY STEEL MILL, IT TRIGGERED A RESPONSE THAT STAYED WITH HER FOR YEARS, EVENTUALLY SPARKING A CREATIVE IDEA THAT INSPIRED A WHOLE SERIES OF PASTELS.

demonstration Rolls

WORKING THE REFERENCE

JOURNEY to ABSTRACTION • FOR ARTIST CORY GOULET, THE CHALLENGE OF WORKING IN THE ABSTRACT IS A RAW REVEALING OF HERSELF—BOTH ON PAPER AND TO HER VIEWERS.

Abstract Mark-Making

CREATE TEXTURE WITH GESSO AND A HEAT GUN

Itinerant ARTIST • DESPITE HER FORMAL TRAINING, NANCY SILVIA ESCHEWS HARD-AND-FAST DESIGN RULES, INSTEAD FAVORING INTUITION BASED ON EXPERIENCE.

Applying for Artist-in-Residence Grants

Selecting Pastels: A User’s Guide • When it comes to a pastelist’s materials, the many vibrant pastel sticks are by far the most tantalizing, but there’s more to pastel selection than color. Here’s an overview of the various characteristics to consider as you build your supply.

GIVE IT A BREAK

Hard, Soft and Everything in Between

MAKE A CHART

Get Ready, Get Set, Go

Putting a Viewfinder to Work • Marla Baggetta takes a DIY approach to composing a scene and translating a thumbnail to a surface.

Tip

Using a Viewfinder • A viewfinder is handy when looking for compositions that divide the space into interesting, unequal shapes and patterns of light and shadow.

Composing Peace