Stuck in an Artistic Rut? Try Pastel Painting

A couple of years ago, on an impulse, I bought myself a box of pastels. It is hard to say why, exactly. I would like to think the vibrancy of the colours called to me from across the art shop, and that my love for the work of Degas and others inspired me to crack open my wallet. Even then the pastels sat unused on a shelf for a while. But when I started attending life classes at a local art school, I remembered the box of pastels and gave them a go. It was the start of the second romance of my life – the first was, of course, with the woman who is, among many things, About's Painting Guide!

So Why Do You Recommend Painting with Pastels?
Over the years I'd settled into a comfortable style of life. I write in a stress-induced fervour, within spitting distance of deadlines. I like to see immediate results, and I have a tendency to move on to new projects quickly (occasionally before the previous one is finished). Although the painting medium I'd graduated to at school, pen and ink and/or watercolour, was relatively satisfying, I had reached a creative plateau. I became distracted from art and the portraits I used to do. Going to life classes was an attempt to get my eye and hand back in shape.

The first evening I tried out the pastels was a revelation. I sank into a 'zone' and created. At the end of two hours I had produced a figure portrait with a degree of verve missing from simple charcoal sketches. My second figure portrait was pleasing enough that I've since had it framed – it hangs on the wall to remind me of that moment of discovery. It was after the third session, a straight head and shoulders, that I was convinced that this was the medium for me.

Pastel gives immediate gratification of the senses. You are laying down pure pigment, directly from the pastel stick held in your fingertips to the paper. It’s a level of tactile response you've not had since finger-painting at primary school. And it's fast. A quality portrait in two to four hours! Finished, no messing.

What Else Appeals About Painting with Pastels?
Pastel can be applied in a number of ways -- each creating a distinctive style, infinitely variable according to the whim of the artist. You can blend pigments on the paper, you can hatch and feather, optically blending colours to keep a level of vibrancy not otherwise seen on a painting. Just like the brushwork of an oil painting, you can imbue the picture with an emotional undercurrent.

Pastel is very forgiving -- if you make a mistake you can easily lift the pigment. When you are finally happy with your work you can fix it in place.

You don't need a great deal of paraphernalia -- no need for a range of brushes and mediums, no need to wait for paints to dry, no need for the environmentally unfriendly plastic tubes, no need for a specially prepared ground which will resist the effect of a fluid medium, the list goes on.

What About the Health Issues with Painting with Pastels?
I'm aware that many pastel artists wear surgical gloves, face masks, have industrial dust removers installed, and otherwise panic about contact with pigment. Why the hell are they artists? Modern pigments on the whole are non-toxic -- the few companies that do use traditional heavy metal pigments WARN you on the boxes. If you wash your hands regularly you should be fine -- and I confess I like the opportunity to get my fingers involved in the process of painting, but you need to keep cleaning your hands to keep the picture pristine, so I keep a box of baby wipes close to hand.

Dust is only a problem if you make a draft -- you'll only make the mistake of blowing on the surface once! A simple tap on the back of the support is all it takes to knock the excess dust to the floor -- and that can be vacuumed up later. But if you are worried, then please do wear a mask and gloves.

Why Should I Try Painting with Pastels?
If you are also stuck in a creative, artistic rut then nothing is better to get those juices flowing again than a change. And there is no greater change from oils, acrylics, or watercolours than to pastel. You will be painting so fast that your conscious, practical thinking side is bypassed by the sub-conscious application of pigment. You'll delight in seeing a result as soon as you imagine the concept -- it is a heady, gratifying high. A pure artistic fix which you aren’t going to get else where.