Pastel school (Learn as You Go)

The book's subtitle below "Pastel School" starts off with "A practical guide..." and this is so true! I am impressed at the book's clarity in how it is sectioned and titled for each skill/technique discussed. Information from getting the type of pastels you may want to use to recommendations on caring for the finished artwork is all covered. Some may say that the information in a few sections is a bit sketchy/limited, but if you want to learn more (e.g. doing portraits), there are additional books available that can provide a pastel artist to advance and learn more. This book gives you the basics, but also allows for growth in the sections on types of art styles that one may produce (e.g. still life, landscapes, flowers, portraits). This book, plus another one I am using, are enabling me to learn pastel art in a way that that will ensure long-term enjoyment with this art medium. I can't wait to get back to my new package of pastel papers to begin a new piece, particularly with a few of the skills I've expanded upon from the information I've learned from this book!

For a beginner like me, it wasn't very helpful. I already knew about color wheels, values, etc. The step-by-step instructions weren't so step-by-step. The pictures were too small to identify all the important components and the color choices were way outside the collection of colors in even a large beginners set of pastels.

This book is absolutely wonderful! I am just beginning as a pastelist and this book covers all the questions I had. It has concise instructions with great pictures. I have purchased two other books on pastels, 'The Encyclepedia of Pastel Techniques' by Judy Martin and 'All About Techniques In Pastel' Barron's but this one is my favorite with the Barron's book next. My only complaint with the book is that it doesn't give enough information on the oil pastels as I have both oil and soft. I would think this book would be wonderful for any beginner as well as the experienced pastleist.

The value of this book to me was the great detail the author went into describing the color pastels you would need if you are an advanced artist or beginner. Also excellent coverage on Working with Pastels,Strokes,Color Mixing, Blending Areas,Overlaying Colors and Basics of Picture Making. You will get a lot of ideas on becoming a better artist from this book. Well worth the money. I bought it used and saved money.

Pastels School is a good introductory book into soft pastels. It starts with the very basics, paper, types of pastels and the various supplies one might need when starting out. It gives instruction on the different strokes, blending and various other techniques. It includes quite a few step by step lessons on landscapes, still life, flowers and portraits. However, most were not particularly inspiring to me. I did not like the paper that was predominantly used. In spite of this, it is still a good book to begin with.

Great learning book. Was in good condition.

Nice book well written. Easy to follow illustrations.

I love this book of Hazel Harrison. She is excellant with pastels and gives good examples of the works of other professional Pastelists!! The cover picture is wonderful and you will see the full painting inside the book. There are alot of photos inside of her working at pastel paintings and how she sets up for it. This is good for beginners and intermediate levels. A good book with alot of help and wonderful examples.

Pastels are, my "thing" l love working with them, this book, is not as good as l hoped for, but, worth thinking about

looks good, haven't read it through as yet.

This book is replacing one I had before..excei

Typical Reader's Digest publication ,a must for anyone considering using pastels . A comprehensive approach to the art of pastel painting .B M Murray

This is a smaller book than others I have on the subject. It is easier to carry on outdoor painting trips. Packed full of very good info. For anyone who wants to learn about pastels this is a great buy!