About Chalk Pastels

History of Chalk Pastels

Pastels were first used in 15th-century Italy but came to be most popular in 18th-century Europe. Rosalba Carriera used pastels especially for portraits, using stumps to softly blend the pastel images. In the 19th century, many more artists used pastels, including Delacroix, who used them for quick studies and drawings for later oil paintings. The Impressionists, including Degas, Cassatt, and Morisot, used pastels as finished works of art in themselves. Degas used pastels in his images of ballet dancers and in other contemporary scenes, making pictures that were both spontaneous and traditional. He made layers of lines and marks, creating deep, rich images that were fresh and modern in appearance.

Techniques

Using Chalk Pastels

Note: Chalk pastels are soft and break easily. Have each student use half a pastel.

To draw, use the tip of the pastel. To fill in large spaces, use the side of the pastel. Color heavily to get a rich color. Chalk pastels can be messy, as chalk dust smears and rubs off the surface. Have damp sponges available for wiping fingertips. Use sheets of newspaper to work on and tap excess chalk into wastebaskets. Avoid blowing the chalk dust.

Important Note: Use fixative, or hairspray, to “fix” pastel drawings and help keep the color from smearing or flaking off. Fixative will not completely prevent smearing, so layer newsprint between the pictures when stacking them. Fixative fumes are hazardous; spray in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Spray lightly from approximately 12” away, so projects do not appear wet.

Outlining

Outline light-colored objects to show detail. Either blend the colors or leave them contrasting. Contrasting outlines unite the whole picture. Blended outlines give form.

Blending Colors

Blend two or more colors by smearing them together with a tissue, fingertip, or tortillon. Color heavily with one color, then add a deeper tone of the same color or add an analogous color to give depth. Lift off some of the color with a finger, tissue, or kneaded eraser.

Blending in Shading

Along one edge of an object, add a line of darker color, then smooth the darker color in toward the object’s center using a finger, tissue, or tortillon.

Adding Texture

To add such details as feathers, fur, or rough skin, add lines of texture on top of blended colors using the tip or edge of a pastel. These lines are added last and should be left unblended or only softly blended.