Pastels For Dummies [Paperback]

Sherry Stone Clifton (Author), Anita Marie Giddings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 8, 2010

The latest tips and techniques for working with pastels - in full color

Pastels offer bright colors, a great level of portability, and no drying time - plus they're relatively inexpensive and can be used to draw and paint on almost any surface. Pastels For Dummies covers the many aspects of this exciting medium, from the fundamentals of choosing the right materials to step-by-step projects, including landscapes, abstracts, and portraits. Inside you'll find hands-on, easy-to-follow exercises and attractive full-color artwork.

• Presents drawing, painting, and shading techniques and styles in an easy-to-understand format
• Accessible to artists of all levels

Discover your inner artist with Pastels For Dummies and make your artwork come alive!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The latest tips and techniques for working with pastels — in full color!

Pastels offer bright colors, a great level of portability, and no drying time — plus, they're relatively inexpensive and can be used to draw and paint on almost any surface. Pastels For Dummies covers the many aspects of this exciting medium, from the fundamentals of choosing the right materials to step-by-step projects.

• Pastels and paraphernalia — discover the basic characteristics of pastels, related tools, and materials

• Beginning with baby steps — get easy-to-follow guidance on the entire process of drawing with pastels, from making initial sketches to picking paper and layering

• Taking it to the next level — master intermediate techniques like emulating metallic surfaces, trying abstraction, and creating textures

• Drawing people and places — learn how to capture landscapes, draw objects in the environment or from photos, and add people to your pictures

Open the book and find:

• A simple color primer in pastel

• Supplies to get you started

• Basic still life techniques

• Hands-on, easy-to-follow exercises

• Attractive full-color artwork

• How to work with chalk pastels

• Tips on setting up your own workspace

• How to achieve different types of strokes

• Advice on making your drawings look real (or surreal!)

Learn to:

• Produce colorful drawings and paintings

• Improve your artistic skills with full-color, hands-on instruction

• Complete full-scale projects

• Discover your inner artist

About the Author

Sherry Stone is a senior lecturer in foundation studies at IU Herron School of Art and Design.

Anita Giddings is a senior lecturer of fine arts at the IU Herron School of Art and Design. Together, Sherry and Anita are the authors of Oil Painting For Dummies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (February 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470508426
• ISBN-13: 978-0470508428
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Arts & Photography > Drawing > Pastel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For More Than Dummies, February 13, 2010

By 

StudioFA (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pastels For Dummies (Paperback)

Most of the pastel books I've read (and I've read quite a few) tend to be skimpy when it comes to technique. Essentially, you're shown one way of using the material, and that's about all. "Pastels for Dummies" takes the reader through a variety of applications, including the use of water with pastel, various blending techniques, layering methods, and so forth. In addition, it covers important information about an effective studio setup when using the material - a subject which is poorly broached in many other texts.

The explanations in this book are clear, concise, fun, and easy to follow. The "fun" part is important...if you actually want to enjoy yourself while you're learning. However useful they may be, the majority of art-instruction texts I've read are written like product manuals. You get useful instructions, but you need coffee to stay awake while you're reading them. This book was refreshingly enjoyable and easy-going.

If you're looking to learn about this wonderful medium, or want to add to the knowledge you already possess, this book is sure to please.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you!, July 2, 2010

By 

Atheen (Snowflake, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pastels For Dummies (Paperback)

Oh boy! Finally a comprehensive manual on pastel drawing. Not only is this book easy to read, but it's practically delicious. The images are luscious with color and marks that are easily read.


Novices, if you want to be inspired and learn about art/drawing/color, check this little yellow book out. Adept artists, if you wonder what a "Dummies" book could have for you, prepare to be delighted.


After years of appreciating and producing art, I found myself chuckling at the writing style and being amazed how it fits so well into creating a real page turner. Prepare to hit the nearest art supply store if you start reading this book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pastels for Dummies, February 22, 2011

By 

K. Bryson (Palmdale, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pastels For Dummies (Paperback)

A wonderful guide to using pastels. I've not used them before and this book certainly helped get me started. Thank you...