Pastel

Pastel is a bright art medium made of powdered pigments with little binder, famous for soft velvety textures and vivid matte colours.

Artists draw directly with pastel sticks to build gentle gradients and rich layers, retaining the true brightness of pigments.

Originating in the Renaissance, pastel boomed in the 18th and 19th centuries, widely used for portraits and landscapes. Colours blend easily on paper, yet the powdery surface needs protection.

Accessible and expressive, pastel works well for figurative art, landscapes and abstract pieces. Loved for its ability to capture subtle light and instant, spontaneous effects.