There is a version that pastel owes its name to the Italian word pastello. The term denoted a drawing technique that was used in Italy in the 16th century. He consisted in using an Italian pencil at the same time as a sanguine. Now pastel is popular in the art environment, attracts masters with its delicate texture, airiness, and a wide range of colors.
What it is?
Pastels are soft pencils of different colors for painting. The advantage of this paint is that it does not need to be diluted, it does not have a pungent odor, and is completely non-toxic. Several varieties of pastels are used in painting:
- dry;
- wax;
- oil;
- watercolor;
- silicon.
Dry Pastel is a pure pigment mixed with a hard binder. Due to the chalk in the composition, the image takes on a matte velvety texture. Available in hard and soft form. The brightness of the picture depends on the degree of softness of the paint: hard pastels are dimmer, soft pastels are brighter. The color spectrum is represented by a large number of shades. Dry pastels are considered the most commonly used pastels.
Made in the form of crayons or pastel pencils. Easier than other types, it mixes with different colors. Dry pastels are simply shaded on paper. This is their difference with oil, as, indeed, in some other points. For example, if oil pastels do not stain everything around, then dry pastels fall on all nearby objects. You need to work with it very carefully.
Dry pastels must be fixed as the paint will start to crumble over time. Art stores sell special retainers in spray cans. For these purposes, regular hairspray is often used. It is advisable to store the drawing under glass or in a folder under paper. Dry pastel is applied only to paper, which distinguishes it from other varieties. When working with hard crayons, use coarse, rough paper to help the paint lay down more easily. It can be applied in layers.
Dry pastel colors blend easily. It can serve to form new shades. Also, if crumbled, the resulting powder can be added to a variety of soft, thick or liquid materials to add color.
You need to store karski in a dry place at a plus temperature of 18-20 degrees. Avoid direct radiation.
Composition
Dry pastel consists of a pigment, fillers and a binder, which can be sugar, Chasov-Yarskaya clay, tragacanth, gum arabic or other water-based glue. Various whitewash is added to the mass to give different shades to the colors. If chalk, talcum powder, gypsum are used to dilute the color, then you can do without an adhesive, since, mixing in the coloring powder, they knit it. The degree of hardness of the finished pastel depends on the volume of the binder - the more there is, the harder the crayons.
Kinds
Dry art pastels are produced in two types: hard and soft.
Solid
Available in rectangular crayons and pastel pencils. It is convenient to use pencils, they do not stain, and the drawing is neat. But the color spectrum is not as wide as that of crayons. Hard pastel sticks can be sharpened because they don't crumble so easily... This is usually done with sandpaper.
This type is convenient for making thin clear lines, outlines, small details, strokes. But the color is not as bright as soft crayons. Can be used to create sketches, sketches, drawing basics. Moreover, in this regard, it is better to give preference to hard pastels rather than graphite pencils.
Solid pastels are easier to use. It is suitable for children and aspiring artists.
Soft
It is produced in the form of rounded crayons. It is more difficult to use them than solid ones due to fragility and flowability. In this regard, they are wrapped in paper. If the soft pastel falls, it will crumble to pieces, so you need to handle it carefully and carefully.
It is used as a professional material by experienced artists with developed operating skills. The widest color spectrum... Due to its softness, the paint is well fixed on paper, and the shades are bright and saturated. It is shaded easily, the texture of the picture is beautiful and interesting. Soft pastels fill large empty spaces on canvas well. This type of dry pastel is more velvety and airy.
You can use a fixative or hairspray to prevent accidental color mixing and shedding on the paper. It is better to use a substance specially designed for this, so as not to spoil the color of the image and not to form stains. You can work simultaneously with two types of dry pastels.
Pastel crayons are available both individually and in sets for drawing in 12, 15, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60 and even 120 colors.
Top brands
Let's consider the most popular brands.
Sonnet
This domestic company offers paint kits in 8, 12, 36 and 48 colors. Round crayons are stacked in two tiers in a box, which saves space when carrying. Fragile; easy to apply, have a semi-solid structure, do not spray. The price is reasonable.
Mungyo
Soft square crayons. There are both familiar and specific colors. In the first case, the sets can be represented by 12, 24 and 48 colors, in the second - 12 monochrome shades of dark tones. There is also a set of 72 colors. The paint contains high-quality pigments that contribute to light resistance. The colors mix well, the pattern is soft and velvety.
Faber castell
Rectangular crayon sets are available in 24, 36 and 60 colors. The firm uses high quality pigments, on each crayon the level of resistance to light is indicated. The paint fits perfectly on any paper: both smooth and rough. The drawing can be easily shaded with your fingers, a brush or other devices. The sharpened ends can be used to draw fine lines, and the flat, wide part of the chalk can be used to paint large areas of the design. It is better to record the finished work.
Rembrandt
Professional material suitable for both experienced artists and aspiring painters. Cylindrical crayons are produced. The composition contains Chinese kaolin and natural dyes. The large amount of pigment makes the colors rich. Crayons are unbreakable, lightfast, well applied to paper of various textures... In total, the manufacturer has 218 different shades in the arsenal. There are sets in 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 colors. The price is high.
Kon-i-noor
The Czech company produces rounded pastel crayons. The brand is popular among painters. Binders and dyes are purchased by the company from well-known manufacturers that have proven themselves in the market. Sets are available in 12, 24, 36, 48 colors. The colors are rich and rich. The price is reasonable. Crayons are soft, do not scratch paper, paint is easy to apply. Colors can be mixed.
Sennelier
High quality pastels. Smooth, pleasant to the touch. Appreciated by professionals. The choice of colors is very wide - 525 tones. The price is high.
Conte
Renowned French manufacturer. The strokes of this pastel are soft, velvety. The paint is well applied to the material. Suitable for large paintings. Average price. The kits are easy to carry. In quality it is inferior to some firms.
Lyra
Rectangular pastel crayons from the German company are suitable for both professional and amateur painting. The material does not crumble, the colors are bright, it is easy to mix with each other, which suits users, since the sets are available in only 12 and 24 colors. The price is high, but consistent with the quality.
Olki
The St. Petersburg firm produces cylindrical dry pastels. In total, the manufacturer offers up to 150 shades. It lends itself well to shading, easy to use when coloring with your fingers. Quite attractive price, but average quality, both the material itself and the packaging. Crayons break easily.
Schmincke
Dry soft pastel "extra" German manufacturer. It is made in rounded cubes. The amount of binder is minimal, the pigments are non-toxic. Can be used in a variety of techniques. Can be applied to oil and acrylic. The use of clamps is required. Color palette - up to 400 different shades. The price is high.
Reviews
Of course, buyers respond positively to those firms that have established themselves as good quality. Rembrandt pastels were highly appreciated. Among the minuses, only high cost and inaccessibility are noted. Paint manufacturer Faber Castell is also attractive to buyers. Among the shortcomings, the size of the crayons stands out - they are too small.
Mungyo, Sonnet, Schmincke, Lyra, Sennelier also received positive reviews. In the negative characteristics of users of pastels of other brands, it is mainly said about the brittleness of crayons, the inconvenience of storing, carrying and applying on paper, as well as the ability of pastels to stain everything around.
How to choose?
The choice dilemma is usually about quality or budget. Therefore, pastels are selected based on financial capabilities and product availability. Aspiring inexperienced amateur artists or art students can opt for less expensive materials at first. Professionals are used to quality paints, which usually cost a pretty penny.
Hard dry pastels, as a rule, are purchased for drawing thin clear lines, small details. The basis of the drawing is best done with a pastel pencil. Sandpaper is usually used to sharpen crayons.
Soft pastels are chosen to create a rich background, paint over the details of the picture. If you plan on mixing colors to create a new one, soft crayons will do. High-quality soft pastels will fit well on paper without breaking or crumbling too much. Such crayons are well suited for staining foamiran.
Regardless of the type of dry pastel, it is best to use a rough paper so that the paint is easier to apply and does not fall off. But not very rough, so that when you apply paint with your fingers, you do not feel discomfort.
When buying a set, you need to carefully read the properties of crayons and colors. Sets of a color palette are available for specific purposes, this is indicated on the packaging: portrait, landscape, assorted.
Also, try to choose a brand in good packaging, which will not wear out very soon. A quality storage box will keep your crayons intact when carrying or when traveling.
Pastel brands from which you can choose a suitable paint are listed above. In addition to the crayons themselves, it is recommended to purchase for work also blending tools, sandpaper, fixative, and drill. Drawings can be done on canvas, stationery paper, pastel paper, cardboard.
As for pastels as a drawing material, the views of professionals and amateurs differ. Some people love to work with pastel crayons, while others have a dislike for their composition and discomfort when applied to paper.
How many people - so many opinions. Therefore, the choice: how to create masterpieces is determined only by your preferences.
In the next video, artist Victoria Polina tests dry pastel brands from around the world.
