Encyclopedia of Pastel Techniques

Library Journal

This outstanding volume on pastel techniques lives up to the encyclopedic claims of its title in a most delightful way. The book introduces soft, hard, oil, and water-soluble pastels, plus pastel pencils. The first section contains more than 40 demonstrations of techniques, from pouncing to scumbling. In addition, Martin explores pastel in combination with several other media, including acrylics and watercolors. With so few good books available on the subject, most libraries should consider both this and Guy Roddon's Pastel Painting Techniques ( LJ 8/91).-- Daniel J. Lombardo, Jones Lib., Amherst, Mass.

Alice Joyce

Full-color photographs illustrate a wide variety of techniques for working with all manner of pastels--soft and hard, water-soluble, oil-based, and pastel pencils--while a good part of the volume is devoted to examples of thematic subject matter. Traditional themes such as landscape, figure study, still life, and portraiture are described in terms of the methods employed. Representative images are detailed in a step-by-step format. A handsome guide that should prove useful to beginners and provide more advanced artists with a portfolio of images for inspiration.