Pastel colors were invented in the 15th century and became popular in the 18th century when the artists used them as the primary medium for painting. Artists use pastel colors as they have a dual nature. They not only retain vibrancy and richness of colors but also invoke light mood and calmness.
Pastels colors family:
Pastel colors are of four types:
Soft pastels- They have a high proportion of pigments, which results in bright colors. We can smudge and blend different colors while drawing.
Pan pastels- These have a minimum binder. We can apply them with exceptional, soft, micropore sponge tools.
Hard pastels- We can use them for sharp drawing with intricate details. They have a high proportion of binders and fewer pigments.
Pastel pencils- We can use them for subtle detailing. These are pencils with a pastel lead.
Besides, there are two types of pastel colors:
Oil pastels- These are soft with a buttery texture and intense colors. These are very dense and fill up every grain of the paper.
Water-soluble pastels- They contain a water-soluble component. Artists can do water-wash to even out colors for semi-transparent consistency. They allow easy mixing and blending of colors.
Oil Pastel colors:
Oil pastels are versatile, and we can use them in all kinds of genres. They have peculiar texture as a result of oil and wax bonding. Also, these are stable and don’t release dust. They don’t crumble or smudge like other pastels. Their wax consistency helps to create strong buttery strokes.
Pastel Color Styles:
Pastel color techniques are blending, masking, layering, highlighting, shading, hatching, gradation, dry wash, erasure, feathering, frottage, impasto, pouncing, scrapping, scumbling, sfumato, sgraffito, stippling, wet brushing and resist techniques.
