PORTRAITUR E: 3 RD OF 6
Capturing a likeness is such an exciting part of art and drawing. It is amazing how we can achieve such a likeness, such psychology and emotion in a drawing which involves just charcoal and paper. Pastels are a wonderful medium for developing our drawing skills and adding colour without the complexity of brushes, paints and mediums. Pastels are so raw and real. They are arguably richer and more immediate than oils, and can be liberating in their handling. Many artists have used pastels alongside their oil paintings and drawings. It is because of their versatility and ease of handling that artists have used pastels, or toned paper with chalk and charcoal as a sketching medium and a preliminary to oils.
Technically pastels are known as pastel painting, not pastel drawing, as despite the lack of brushes and mediums needed, they still consist of the same pigments we use for oils but bound together with gum arabic rather than oil. Do try making them at home. It is a very rewarding process and not too difficult. It is also a great way of understanding your medium.