Pastels

DISCRIPTION Defining characteristic: they are “dry” Pastel Sticks combine powdered pigment with a binder –Soft Pastels High pigment to binder ratio. –Hard Pastels Low pigment to binder ratio. –Oil Pastels Soft buttery consistency.

PAPER Texture –Paper must have a “tooth” Feel construction paper, printer paper, pastel paper Coloured ground –Paper colour greatly impacts colour of image –Generally select a mid-range colour. Darker or lighter can have a great effect. AVOID WHITE!!!

PAPER PRACTICE Try some different pastel colours on the small pieces of primary colour construction paper, as well as the “pastel paper”, and the printer paper. Note the way the pastel grips to the different types of paper and the effect the colour of the paper has on the colour of the pastel.

Vine Charcoal Sketch –Start with a basic contour of the object getting proper positioning, shape and proportion –Use VINE CHARCOAL Erases easily, does not ruin tooth Can be messy; wrap with paper towel to protect fingers.

CHARCOAL PRACTICE Make some marks on all the types of paper. Try different pressure. Try the tip and side of piece. Note the amount of pressure needed to make a very thin, light mark.

APPLICATION Layering –Work from DARK to LIGHT!! –Avoid using solid colours from the box. –Avoid excessive use of black and white Introduce other colours (purple, dark blue, etc) into black areas Use only flashes of white as accents Gentle pressure –Press lightly and apply thin layers Thick layers fill up the tooth preventing further layering Avoid rubbing –Blending the colours eliminates contrast, variety and vitality of the image. May be desirable in some cases, use sparingly.

APPLICATION PRACTICE Create a grid on the yellow construction paper provided. Complete the grid as directed

DRAWING Complete a small drawing of an object 1.Select your paper colour 2.Sketch the shape in vine charcoal 3.Build up colour. Layer from darkest to lightest- pay close attention to light and shadow and to variation in colour