8 Best-Selling Pastel Drawing Books Millions Love

The methods Bill Creevy developed while teaching pastel art have shaped this book into a practical guide for artists eager to master pastel materials and techniques. You’ll find clear explanations about selecting and using various pastels, including oil pastels and oil sticks, and detailed demonstrations of foundational strokes and layering. Creevy’s background as both artist and educator shines through in chapters that break down complex processes into approachable lessons, making it easier for you to experiment confidently. Whether you're new to pastel or looking to refine your skills, this book offers precise insights that help improve your handling of pastel media.

S. Allyn Schaeffer's extensive experience as a pastel artist shines through in this thorough introduction to painting nature with pastels. The book details essential tools and materials while guiding you through step-by-step demonstrations that compare photographs of natural scenes with finished pastel works, helping you grasp how to translate real landscapes into pastel art. This approach is particularly helpful if you're looking to develop observational skills and understand color mixing in outdoor settings. If your aim is to capture nature's subtleties with pastels, this book offers clear instruction and visual references without overcomplication, making it well-suited for intermediate artists seeking to refine their technique.

This personalized book explores proven pastel drawing methods tailored specifically to your unique challenges and interests. It covers essential techniques, material choices, and creative approaches that match your background and artistic goals. Carefully crafted to focus on your individual needs, this tailored guide reveals how to overcome common obstacles encountered in pastel art. By blending widely validated pastel practices with your personal style and skill level, it offers a focused and engaging learning experience. You'll discover how to refine your technique, enhance texture and color blending, and develop confidence in your pastel creations.

Lee Johnson, a professor emeritus and recognized expert on Eugene Delacroix, brings a deep scholarly perspective to this collection of Delacroix's pastel drawings. You gain direct access to reproductions of nearly all existing pastel works by Delacroix, offering a rare visual study of his technique and artistic evolution. The book is especially useful if you want to understand how Delacroix's approach to pastel contributed to his broader oeuvre and 19th-century art movements. While it doesn't teach pastel drawing methods, it enriches your appreciation and analytical skills regarding pastel art through historical context and detailed imagery.

When Albert Handell, a Master Pastelist honored by the Pastel Society of America and inducted into the Pastel Hall of Fame, shares his approach, it carries weight. In Painting the Landscape in Pastel, Handell guides you through selecting supplies and mastering landscape composition by focusing on large shapes and developing a focal point. His methodical demonstrations break down skies, water, trees, and snow into manageable techniques, helping you build depth and color from dark to light. This book suits aspiring pastelists eager to understand both the theory and practice behind luminous landscape art rather than casual hobbyists.

Sherry Stone Clifton and Anita Marie Giddings bring their extensive experience as senior lecturers at IU Herron School of Art and Design to this guide on pastels, blending their academic insight with practical instruction. You’ll explore how to select materials suited for different pastel techniques and surfaces, alongside exercises ranging from landscapes to portraits that develop your shading and blending skills. Chapters like the one on layering colors reveal subtle methods to enhance vibrancy and depth, making it a useful companion whether you’re starting fresh or refining your pastel work. This book suits artists eager to expand their media repertoire with approachable, detailed guidance.

This tailored book explores accelerated improvement in pastel drawing through daily focused exercises designed specifically for your interests and skill level. It reveals methods to enhance your pastel techniques by building core skills step-by-step, allowing you to experience rapid progress in color blending, layering, and texture creation. This personalized guide matches your background and goals, concentrating on practical exercises that deepen your understanding of pastel materials and artistic expression. By emphasizing consistent practice and targeted exploration, it offers a unique opportunity to engage with pastel art in a way that resonates with your learning pace and style. This approach helps you develop confidence and artistic fluidity with pastels over a focused 30-day period.

After observing how subtle changes in light can transform a pastel painting's mood, Maggie Price developed this guide to help you capture sunlight and shadow with precision. You learn to interpret various lighting conditions—from a crisp morning glow to the shimmer of reflections on water—through 10 detailed demonstrations. Each chapter breaks down techniques for rendering light’s warmth and shadows’ depth, emphasizing observation over rigid formulas. Artists at any skill level will find value here, especially those aiming to make their work feel immediate and alive, though those seeking broad pastel fundamentals might need supplementary resources.

The breakthrough moment came when Jackie Simmonds, a professional artist known for her hands-on teaching style, developed this pastel course to move beyond mere imitation. Instead of focusing on copying, the book encourages you to actively participate through practical exercises aimed at cultivating your own artistic voice. You'll learn techniques that balance skill-building with creative exploration, making it ideal for leisure painters seeking both guidance and freedom. Chapters guide you through projects that foster individual style development, not just technical proficiency. This book suits anyone ready to deepen their pastel painting skills while embracing personal expression.

Unlike most pastel drawing books that focus solely on beginner techniques, Sally Harper’s handbook offers a nuanced exploration of pastel artistry that appeals to both advanced students and dedicated amateurs. You’ll find detailed guidance on drawing, shading, and color mixing, alongside practical advice for incorporating pastels into mixed-media projects, all supported by vibrant color illustrations and examples from renowned artists. The book’s sturdy, portable design with hidden spiral binding allows you to work directly from it at your easel, making it a useful companion rather than just a reference. This makes it ideal if you want to deepen your pastel skills beyond basics and appreciate the medium’s versatility firsthand.