The Pastel Book [Paperback]

Bill Creevy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1999

Absolutely the most thorough guide to pastel materials and techniques ever assembled in a single volume, this is the book for anyone working with pastels, from beginners to experienced artists looking to develop more professional skills.

Defining the pastel medium broadly—color in stick form to be used for drawing and painting simultaneously—the author creates works of sensuous textures and colors, ranging from subtle to intense. He uses traditional soft and hard pastels, as well as oil pastels and oil sticks, showing the effects produced by each in step-by-step demonstrations. Included are sophisticated ways to combine pastels with water, acrylic, alkyd gels, and oil paint for stunning mixed-media results.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bill Creevy, a versatile artist and writer, is a Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America, author of The Oil Painting Book, and the recipient of numerous jury awards. He lives and works in his SoHo studio loft in New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill (August 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823039056
• ISBN-13: 978-0823039050
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.8 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pastel

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely through, great reference, July 12, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Pastel Book (Paperback)

This is a wonderfully complete book covering all aspects of pastel painting. It is useful for both the beginner who needs to understand the medium and the experienced artist who needs a ready reference to a multitude of materials and techniques as well as a source of inspiration.

The book starts out with a very thorough overview of materials, spanning about 30 pages, with lots of pictures as well as descriptions of soft, oil and handmade pastel types with a detailed analysis by brand. Oil sticks, numerous paper types, mediums and tools are also included.

Basic pastel techniques are covered next including sketching, and pastel painting concepts such as liner, blocking-in, and atmosphere. Making corrections and the role of fixatives is also included. Then, you learn to create pastel textures by scumbling and dusting as well as by adding pencil or using fixative.

A comprehensive section on color theory follows, including an explanation of the color wheel and using metallic/iridescent colors. There are demonstrations on achieving transparency and using different paper colors. Numerous other techniques follow, showing you how to use pastels with other media such as watercolors, acrylics, modeling pastes, oils and gum tragacanth. The unique characteristics of oil pastels and oil sticks are given special treatment as well.

A list of quality suppliers as well as an index for easy reference are included in the back. This is definitely a must have for any pastel artist.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivation is the Best Medicine, December 30, 2000

By 

Linda A. Goin "goinhome" (Louisville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Pastel Book (Paperback)

As an artist, I often look to other's works to observe technique and style. Lately, I noticed I was getting a bit behind in my pastel work...many other artists were mixing media and pushing the envelope on their pastel paintings and drawings. After browsing through several pastel books, I settled with Creevy's "The Pastel Book" and I'm very happy with my choice.

Creevy not only covers materials and tools and basic techniques for the beginner; he takes the medium to new levels with the combination of watercolor, acrylics, gels, oil paint and monotypes. Creevy has also covered every brand of pastel in this book, from the hard stick pastels to the super-soft Senneliers; he also describes the effects of various oil sticks, papers and supports and tools. Step-by-step instructions for each technique helps the artist retain a mastery over the combinations on any given mix.

An exciting book that has helped me gain an edge with my artwork.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best pastel book, and I've got 'em all, October 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pastel Book (Paperback)

If you have succumbed to the allure of a gorgeous new box of pastels but find yourself baffled by this fascinating, enigmatic medium, this book is by far your best bet. The author has something nice to say about every brand of pastels, and his thorough review of the market helped me understand that there are merits to owning a variety of pastel types. Even experienced painters can be frustrated by this medium, but Creevy's approach makes it manageable. I own lots of pastel books, but it wasn't until I read this one that I actually experienced a breakthrough. Wish I'd bought this one first!!