Customer Reviews

Pastel School (Learn as You Go)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I started in pastels by just jumping in headfirst. The magazines and books that I read gave info for artists who already know basic terms and techniques. Ms. Harrison's book gave me a structured way to learn, all the way from the basics to more advanced topics, with presentation of alternative ways to experiment and develop MY interests.

I bought this book in order to teach me everything I needed to know to get started as a pastelist. I am very pleased with the content of this book. It offers the beginner a way of getting started, from choosing the right pastel colors to learning different pastel strokes and techniques. It also offers different styles (which I found very helpful). Other books seem to be written in a text-book format - but this book is written step-by-step, and makes you feel as if pastel is something you CAN LEARN!

This book is full of beautiful photos of pastel drawings in different styles and using a variety of techniques. There is plenty of information on selecting pastels, properties of different hardnesses of pastels on different textured papers, blending techniques, storage and care of materials. Techniques are illustrated step by step with plenty of photos to clarify the instructions. Overall a good book for the pastel novice.

This book is incredibly helpful with demonstrations, suggestions for colors, layering options, and beautiful illustrations with various styles shown. The only thing that would have been even more helpful to this book was a little more information about paper and pastel suppliers and the difference in quality between them. I'm still giving it 5 stars though!

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!

This would be a good reference book to add to your beginner's library. It covers many subjects, so it gives you an overview of many techniques associated with painting with pastels. It goes into principles of color, shading & perspective. There are many step by step illustrations. Included are lessons on landscapes, still life, cityscapes & portraiture and the illustrated methodology to go with them.

I am very happy with the book Pastel School. I am just starting to learn to use pastels, and this book is very helpful by teaching me the correct way to put the pastels down on paper. The illustrations and finished pictures indicate what I should accomplish, following the helpful information in the book. It is great reference material. After reading the book, I was eager to try the methods taught, and I have more confidence to apply them to the pictures I want to do.

This is my 2nd favorite book from a massive library of pastel books. LOL It's one you can learn from and still go back to again and again!

I BOUGHT THIS BOOK FOR MYSELF AND LIKED IT SO MUCH I BOUGHT ONE FOR MY BEST FRIEND WHO TEACHES PASTEL ART TO CHILDREN IN COLORADO. SHE LOVED IT AND USES IT NOW FOR HER CLASSES.

I am just starting with pastels and find this book great for beginners. It covers a lot of different subjects and basic instruction.