Pastel Painter's Solution Book: 50 Pastel Painting Problems and How to Solve Them [Hardcover]

David Cuthbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1996

In The Pastel Painter's Solution Book, painter and teacher David Cuthbert highlights some of the common problems and provides simple and logical solutions. Each problem is illustrated with a typical beginner's picture, while the suggested solution features the work of a professional painter dealing with a similar subject. In many cases, there are close-up details which reveal the artist's technique, and further paintings showing alternative solutions to a problem. The problems cover a wide spectrum. Some of them are technical, for example, how do you mix colors without overworking? What governs the choice of paper color, and what effect will this have? But making a successful painting is not just a matter of mastering the medium, and many of the problems relate to the wider concerns of painting, such as composition and the use of color. Some are subject-based; for example, how do you paint clouds or shadows convincingly, or render the brilliant colors and delicacy of flowers? Whether you are considering trying out pastels or have already begun to work in the medium and feel you need some help, The Pastel Painter's Solution Book is for you. It will solve your practical problems as well as providing a wealth of inspiration to help you find your own painting style.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; First Edition edition (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891347054
• ISBN-13: 978-0891347057
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,043 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #80 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pastel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book on painting, especially with pastels, April 10, 2006

By 

L. Seurer (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pastel Painter's Solution Book: 50 Pastel Painting Problems and How to Solve Them (Hardcover)

If you are looking for a step by step instructional guide on how to paint landscapes or portraits this is not it. However, it is a wonderful book for anyone interesting in working with pastels to achieve more in their paintings. It shows students work along with a professional's version giving detailed explanations of student did wrong and what was needed to correct the problems most beginners encounter. Since work is pulled from many different artists you can see many different styles. There are close-ups of paintings to emphasize details that are explained.

As a beginner, I found this book extremely inspirational. It gave me the desire to experiment and try out some of these techniques described and the confidence to start my second piece. Even though nothing is demonstrated step by step, the books gives good explanations on the materials such as type and color of the paper, how to achieve depth, work with shadows, when to blend, affects of different types of strokes, making corrections and how to put together a composition. There is value in this book for any painter, not just those working with pastels.