Pastel Artist's Bible: An Essential Reference for the Practicing Artist (Artist's Bibles, 16)

Whether this book is for the absolute beginner, i do not know. I think beginners are often better off starting with practice and an instructor than with "theory".I've only been working with pastels for two years. I came by them when I discovered my love for finger-painting. Although I bought this book a few months after I started painting with pastels, I only read it recently. As an instructional designer, I understand that few people "read" reference books. They use them. That's why this may not be the most basic book regarding pastel techniques. However, the book's title provides a clue that it is not meant to be a how-to book. Further, I think having to be concerned with theory right out of the box is off-putting to many people. Newbies generally want to know how, not why. That's also why just buying the biggest and the best sets that you can afford, and then just diving in, is often the best way to approach starting out with something new.I've gotten a lot out of this book. If nothing else it has helped to clarify and solidify many of the things that I've noted while experimenting with pastels. I now have a much deeper understanding of pastels, and now I also a language to use to discuss them.These are some of the things that I learned from reading this book. These things also tell me why I should learn color theory and about the different art styles. My work would be much better.1) By wrapping a damp piece of paper towel around a toothpick and letting it dry, we can create a tortillon.(2) By placing a sheet of "glassine paper" over the pastel painting, and then using a board to press the pastel into the painting, we can "fix" a pastel painting.(3) By blotting a pastel image with a piece of white bread, we can "erase" an image.(4) Tortillons are best for pressing strokes into the paper. Use a paintbrush or a rag for large areas of softer strokes, such as those in a sky.(5) Various effects can be created under our main image.By dipping cotton balls or paintbrushes into soft dry pastel, we can create a dry wash on our pastel paper, especially if it is not sanded. A watercolor wash works on sanded paper.A diffuser, spray bottle or whatever can be used to create a stippling effect(6) Warm and cool colors (complementary colors) can also create depth in paintings. Cool colors seem to recede toward the back of the image, while warm colors seem to move forward, which provides contrasts.(7) Neutral color papers (black, white, gray, beige) should only be used with bold colors or else they will likely overwhelm the image.(8) By padding the end of a cane, dowel or stick, we can make a mahlstick to help raise our drawing hand off of the paper.(9) While an analogous color helps to mute adjacent colors, complementary colors create contrasts.(10) Using our fingers and hands to blend the colors causes less dust and adds oils to the painting, which helps "fix" it.(11) Storing pastels in rice helps to separate the "sticks" and keep them clean. Also rub your pastels in rice flour to clean them.I would say that this is a book for those who are at least advanced beginners -- 2nd or 3rd year pastelists.

Loved this book. I am just learning pastels, so this book has helped a lot. My only complaint is the typeface for the instructions, is small San serif, light face and hard to read, one weight heavier would have made a huge difference in ease of readability

I've recently discovered pastels and have devoured as many books as I can find on the subject. To date this one is the best. The information is provided in clear, short points. The illustrations are large and numerous - and show what the author is explaining well. There is also some exploration of artistic techniques and how they can be applied specifically to pastel work. In comparison to other books on the subject I find this book manages to give all the important information in an efficient, easy to read way. It is also a relatively small, spiral bound book so it's easy to keep the page open, to carry and store. The section on colours and colour mixing is something I will refer to again and again. Very happy with this purchase!

I'm a beginner so I purchased this book. It's produced quite lovely, but for the price the information is very limited. It didn't really help me start painting.

Love this book… great references and easy to find…Quick an to the point!

It is truly useful. The Pastel Artist Bible does more than a technical "How to" book. It inspires! If I run out of painting ideas, flipping through it gives rise to new inspiration as to the different ways one can use a pastel. It covers a broad range of techniques simply, making it easy to absorb the information. These are further aided by many visual exmaples from different artists. The only problem I have, however, is that the book is ring-binded. I worry about exerting too much strength in case I tear of the page when flipping through it, which can be difficult sometimes. However, I highly recommend buying it for its content, as it is truly useful for anyone interested in the medium.

I have worked in pastels on and off for over 50 years and I was looking for a book to help me catch up on the latest techniques and what materials were available. I found this book to be very concise and helpful it is well laid out and the information in it is very credible the illustrations are both colorful and well done and are good examples of what is being expressed in words. I highly recommend this for anyone starting in pastel work because it is simple and well laid out and easy to follow. I also recommend it for anyone who has worked in pastel but has not worked in it for the last few years.

This is an excellent beginner book for anyone interested in pursuing pastel. I didn't know there were different grains of paper to use, otherwise I could have saved my first pastel piece.But there's some excellent information on erasers, and so many other techniques that I couldn't find already on the internet.The only fault with the book I have is that it's spiral, and if you're not careful turning a page, you could tear it.

Good

I am a beginner in the pastel medium and needed something to get me started. I found this book very helpful and very good value for the money. I found the index particularly helpful, enabling me to find the section covering terms completely new to me.

This book arrived in "like new" condition. Very pleased, lots of info I was looking for as I'm new to pastels. And this completes my set! I already have the one's for oil, acrylic and watercolour...

I enjoy using pastels for drawing and some time ago had been recommended pastels artists bible as a useful tool to with using pastels

Having used pastels only twice so far, this book certainly gives me a few ideas of how to achieve what I want.