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.

Color Adventures

The Pastel Journal

Pastels: From Millet to Redon • In a stunning new exhibition, the Musee d'Orsay displays works from its vast pastel collection-for the first time in 14 years.

A Heart Sewn in a Pink Satin Bag • A late ballet pastel by Edgar Degas speaks to his enduring love for the subject.

Luck of the Irish • Charles Peer embraces the unexpected twists and turns involved in both the adventure of travel and the plein air painting process.

How to "See" an Exhibition • Viewing art without an agenda offers many delights. Yet as practicing artists, there are times when it's wise to view a show with more scrutiny to see what might be instructive to our art. Artist Colette Odya Smith offers nine ways to observe with a discerning eye.

Think Outside the Toolbox • Laura Pollak shares 11 tips for using everyday, around-the-house items as aids in your art-making to achieve extraordinary results.

Petite PAINTING POINTERS • Make a big impact when working small by following these nine tips.

FEARLESS COLOR • LEARN HOW THESE FOUR AWARD-WINNING ARTISTS USE COLOR NOT ONLY AS A WAY TO EXPRESS THEIR VISION ON PAPER, BUT AS A PATHWAY TO INSPIRATION ITSELF.

flowers of resilience • FOR UKRAINIAN ARTIST VERA KAVURA, FLORALS SYMBOLIZE PERSISTENCE EVEN UNDER THE HARSHEST OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

demonstration Cosmos, Stars on the Earth • I wanted to depict the cosmos from my garden in Ukraine in the setting sun-a scene I've witnessed hundreds of times-but am currently missing while I reside in Italy during the war. In what is a rare instance, I fortuitously had a reference sketch on hand.

Art(ist), Untethered • THE ADVENTUROUS PAULA PHELPS APPROACHES ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM THE SAME WAY SHE APPROACHES LIFEBOLDLY, VIBRANTLY AND FEARLESSLY.

Drawn to Nature • ENGLISH PAINTER KATRINA WALLIS-KING RELIES ON LINEWORK, TEXTURE AND COLOR FOR HER EXPRESSIVE LANDSCAPES OF FIELDS AND STREAMS.

INSPIRED BY…

Birds & Blooms • FOR LISA REGOPOULOS, THE TRUE EXCITEMENT BEGINS WHEN REALISM MEETS IMPRESSIONISMIN PASTEL.

TIPS FOR BRINGING CREATIVITY INTO BLOOM

IS THIS PAINTING FINISHED?

Mundane to Magic