Pastel

Pastel is a versatile material in art, made from pigments and a small amount of binder. Pastel sticks can be used to draw lines as well as create painterly surfaces, combining the possibilities of drawing and painting. Soft pastel gives a velvety texture and rich colors, and the color intensity remains for decades. A particular challenge is fixing the layer – pastel can easily crumble, requiring the use of fixatives.

In the 18th century, pastel became a favorite of portraitists: portraits of ladies looked especially airy and delicate. It is said that Madame de Pompadour carried a whole collection of pastels for instant portraits at balls. This material is loved for its quick way of expressing an idea and the captivating effect of 'spot and air'. Pastel works do not age or fade, astonishing viewers across centuries with the intensity of colors and dust – a true spirit of the past!