Pastel is a medium used by some of the great artists of the past and is still a painting medium prized by amateur and professional alike for its rich variety of colour and versatility. While some artists use pastel for sketching and spontaneous studies, others may explore deeper possibilities and techniques.

Pastel is basically raw pigment mixed with a binding agent, usually gum tragacanth and water, made into a dough-like consistency combined with white chalk for tints, and black pigment for dark shades. The mixture is then kneaded and rolled into sticks of vibrant colours or extruded through a tube and cut into desired lengths for easy handling.

The strength of the binder, the hardness of the pigment and the pressure exerted on the stick during manufacturing determines the degree of hardness or softness. The soft pastels have just enough binder added to the pigment to prevent the sticks from crumbling when applied to the various painting surfaces.

There are three types of pastel you can use, soft, hard and pastel pencil. Each produces a different textural effect that can vary the character of the medium, by lessening or strengthening the pressure applied to the stick. Choosing a rough or smooth surface also gives a different effect.

Pastel has a full range of vibrant hues for many artistic possibilities but has developed a misleading reputation for being a medium with light and delicate colours.

A skilled artist with a thorough knowledge of pastel properties can create a variety of artistic expressions. With the control of the craft, pastel can be used to suit most individual styles and tastes. When pastel is used with other mediums such as aqueous based paint, the effects can be innovative and exciting.

Pastel paintings need to be placed under glass when framing, due to the delicate nature of the medium, but once framed correctly, pastel is very durable and long lasting. Some of the great artists of the past, such as Edgar Degas, Henri de Toulouse Lautrec and Mary Cassatt, to name a few, have their work hanging in Art Galleries throughout the world, still as vibrant and beautiful as the day they were created.