Painting the Landscape in Pastel

Arts & Activities, March, 2004 by Jerome J. Hausman

(2000; $21.95), by Albert Handell and Anita Louise West. Watson-Guptill Publications, 770 Broadway, New York, NY 10003.

In the introduction to this book the authors observe that "pastels" are made with exactly the same pigment used to make all art prints. Powdered pigment, mixed with a little water and a special binder, is ground into a paste, rolled into sticks and left to dry. The name comes from the French word "pastiche," meaning paint. It is a painting medium with a full range of artistic possibilities.

This is a book that would be useful for secondary-school students. The authors are technically skilled artists who share their experiences and perspectives with readers. The chapters are organized around commonsensical "how to do it" themes: advantages of a dry medium, color lessons from nature, finding your picture, working with photography, applying pastel, and more. There are excellent illustrations, including some step-by-step illustrations showing beginning drawings, the blocking in of dark areas, the application of intermediate colors and the finishing of the work. Useful suggestions are given as to the sources of materials. Overall. what is communicated is a love for the medium and joys in working with pastels. At one point, the author comments: "I never cease to marvel at the vastness, variety and brilliance of the skies. The problem is where to start and how to capture something that is always in flux."-J.J.H. For information about this publication, circle No. 385 on the Reader Service Card.