Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons [Paperback]

Jackie Simmonds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2002

A survey of materials, equipment and the exciting range of pastels now available leads straight into the first lessons in mark-making and developing pastel techniques. The essentials of form, tone, light and colour are explained next, before moving on to working from life, both indoors and out. All the basic elements of picture making - including measuring and drawing skills, dealing with backgrounds, using photographs and sketchbooks, and tackling perspective - are explored here through a wonderful range of still-life, figurative and landscape subjects, which build skills as the lessons progress. Each lesson begins with a list of its aims, which are followed by clear instructions on how to achieve them. Step-by=step demonstrations, annotated artworks and finished paintings reveal the whole process in detail, while practical exercises allow beginners to build up their own invaluable workbook - from first strokes to finished landscapes.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Simmonds, a popular English pastelist, has stunningly produced exactly what she set out to: a complete, well-written pastel course, covering everything from simple marks to sophisticated paintings. Her lesson on water and skies, for example, contains dozens of mini-lessons on the transitory moods and colors of the sea, the clouds, and reflections in ponds. Whether dealing with portraits, landscapes, or creative interpretations of the styles of C?zanne or Van Gogh, Simmonds never fails to inspire. Recommended for most collections, this is a good companion to other pastel books, like Exploring Pastel with Barry Watkin (LJ 3/15/97).
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'... continues Daved & Charles' successful series of well-designed landscape-format study guides... lively, user-friendly, packed with gorgeous reproductgions... a real pleasure to use.' - Leisure Painter

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: David & Charles Publishers; 2 edition (March 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715313401
• ISBN-13: 978-0715313404
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 7.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,919 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pastel

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Private tutor with half a price, June 27, 2000

By 

Hawa Nazreen Sahib - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons (Art Workbook Series) (Hardcover)

I am new to this medium and therefore eager to find a good book which would not only teach me the basics of pastels, but also how to improve my skills even further. So when I came upon Jackie Simmonds' Pastel Workbook, it was exactly the kind of book I was looking for. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Compared to the books on pastels out there in the market I think this is by far the best for beginners and even for those in the intermediate level. This book "baby sits" you. It goes through every step in great detail. You really cannot go wrong, but if you do she teaches you how to make corrections. The book has full color illustrations and the pictures are taken at a close shot so you do not have to wonder if it's a sidestroke or a thin line. The book has ten lessons and every lesson in this book begins with an aim and ends with a tip. Lesson one introduces you to the materials and equipment while lesson two shows you how to use your pastel to create the different strokes, followed by how to form shapes, the use of colors to create the different effects and so forth. Once you are comfortable with the terms and use of pastels she gradually teaches you to compose pictures, paint beautiful landscapes, paint skies and winter scenes. This book does not frustrate you is all I can say as you get to see instant results in your artwork. Having this book is truly like having my good old art instructor Mr. Albert beside me but even better because I can use the book as a reference whenever I need to. I have noticed great improvement in my pastel skills in just a few days of acquiring this book. My friends could hardly believe that I did not take a class in pastel drawing. I give five stars to Jackie Simmond's book. It's worth every cent I paid for.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK FOR BEGINNERS!!, July 12, 2003

By 

Earl Burdick (Pocatello, ID United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in Ten Lessons (Paperback)

I am an absolute beginner and have bought many pastel books and this is one of the 2 best i have.It assumes you know nothing, which for me, was true.It begins with basic marks and techniques and progresses into making pictures. I gained much confidence by going through this well organized book. If you are an absolute beginner, buy it!!!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching guide, February 17, 2008

By 

Steven L. Tomsik "s_tomsik" (Califronia, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pastel Workbook: A Complete Course in 10 Lessons (Hardcover-spiral)

Clear, simple teaching guide for pastel beginners. 10 progressive lessons. Examples range from simple to advanced, to encourage and inspire the reader. I think it needs a bit more information in fixatives and surfaces, which are a large factor in the whole picture-making process. Overall, it's a good book to get started.

s_tomsik