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Events

Pastel Toujours 2012

Our 16th annual members' choice exhibition takes place at the Sinfonia di Colori Gallery, in Ste-Geneviève (on Montréal Island), from April 26 to May 6, 2012.

Les Pastellistes 2011

Our 16th edition of « Les Pastellistes » International Exhibition selected by jury was held from November 4th to 13th, 2011.

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News

Worldwide sketching day!  last Sunday of May, see details.

PSEC members can now read a new article from our master pastellist Claude Texier, in the Advanced Tips & Tricks section, under the Members' Menu.

(in French only) La Galerie Colline, de l'université de Moncton, Campus Edmundton, vous invite au vernissage de Jacques Clément, jeudi 22 mars 2012, 17h à 19h. L'exposition est en salle jusqu'au 27 avril 2012. Visitez son exposition virtuellement sur son site

(In French only) Jacques Clément expose au M.A.A., du 1er au 30 avril 2012 (Affiche - exposition ATHLETES+ ). Il présente une douzaine d'oeuvres dans cette exposition. Vous pouvez les voir sur mon blog

PSEC members can now read a new step-by-step article featuring our master pastellist Marie-Hélène Auclair, in the Advanced Tips & Tricks section, under the Members' Menu.

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Pastel characterists

Pastel sticks or crayons consist of pure powdered pigment combined with a binder. The exact composition and characteristics of an individual pastel stick depends on the type of pastel and the type and amount of binder used. It also varies by individual manufacturer.

Dry pastels have historically used binders such as arabic and tragacanth gum. Methyl cellulose was introduced as a binder in the twentieth century. Often a chalk or gypsum component is present. They are available in varying degrees of hardness, the softer varieties being wrapped in paper.

Dry pastel as a medium can be subdivided as follows:

  • Soft pastels: This is the most widely used form of pastel. The sticks have a higher portion of pigment and less binder, resulting in brighter colors. The drawing can be readily smudged and blended, but it results in a higher proportion of dust. Finished drawings made with soft pastels require protecting, either framing under glass or spraying with a fixative to prevent smudging.
  • Hard pastels: These have a higher portion of binder and less pigment, producing a sharp drawing material that is useful for fine details. These can be used with other pastels for drawing outlines and adding accents. However the colors are less brilliant than with soft pastels.
  • Pastel pencils: These are pencils with a pastel lead. They are useful for adding fine details.

 

In addition, new types of pastels have been produced:

  • Oil pastels: These have a soft, buttery consistency and intense colors. They are slightly more difficult to blend than soft pastels, but do not require a fixative.
  • Water-soluble pastels: These are similar to soft pastels, but contain a water-soluble component, such as glycol. This allows the colors to be thinned out using a water wash. There has been some debate within art societies as to what exactly counts as a pastel. The Pastel Society within the UK (the oldest pastel society) states the following are acceptable mediums for its exhibitions: "Pastels, including Oil pastel, Charcoal, Pencil, Conté, Sanguine, or any dry media". The emphasis appears to be on "dry media" but the debate continues.

 

Adapted from Wikipedia