Elena Rossi
Pastel is an art medium that consists of powdered pigment and a binder. It has been used by artists since the Renaissance and gained popularity in the 18th century. The question of whether pastel pieces are drawings or paintings has been a topic of debate. Some people consider pastel a drawing medium, especially when it is used for preliminary sketches or field drawings. Others consider pastel a painting medium, especially when the entire surface is covered with pastel. The perception of the audience also plays a role in whether a pastel piece is considered a drawing or a painting. Advancements in materials and framing techniques have increased the popularity of pastel as a medium for finished artworks.
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What You'll Learn
Pastel's historical use
The history of pastels dates back thousands of years, with some claiming that pastel was the first artistic medium. Pure pigments from rocks, when mixed with water or saliva, were the materials used by early artists in caves. The Lascaux cave paintings in southwestern France, estimated to be up to 20,000 years old, are a famous example of this.
Pastels then evolved over the centuries, with the first pastels originating in northern Italy in the 16th century. Artists such as Jacopo Bassano, Federico Barocci, Hans Holbein the Younger, and Jean and François Clouet used pastels during this time.
In the 18th century, pastel use gained considerable popularity, with a number of notable artists making it their primary medium. Rosalba Carriera, Jean-Baptiste Chardin, François Boucher, Maurice-Quentin de La Tour, Jean-Baptiste Perronneau, Jean-Étienne Liotard, and Anton Raphael Mengs were among the major masters of pastel during this time. Portraiture, in particular, was a genre that saw a lot of pastel use.
In the late 19th century, the French artist Edgar Degas played a significant role in the revival and revitalisation of pastels. Artists such as Odilon Redon, Mary Cassatt, Auguste Renoir, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Gustave Moreau, Édouard Vuillard, Pierre Bonnard, Claude Monet, Joan Miró, and Paul Klee also used pastels extensively in their work.
In the 20th century, new binders such as methyl cellulose were introduced, and pan pastels were invented in the 21st century. Today, pastels continue to be a popular medium for artists, with improved framing techniques and advancements in the substrates upon which pastels are painted, allowing for better preservation of pastel artworks.
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Paper visibility
The question of whether pastel pieces are drawings or paintings has been a topic of discussion among artists and art enthusiasts. While some people consider pastel to be a drawing medium, others view it as a form of painting. This ambiguity arises due to the unique characteristics of pastel and the subjective nature of artistic expression.
Historically, pastel was often used for preliminary sketches, field drawings, and portraits, leading to its association with drawing. However, advancements in materials and preservation techniques have expanded the use of pastel for finished artworks. The visibility of the paper or underlying surface is a crucial factor in distinguishing between pastel drawings and paintings. If there is a significant amount of paper showing through, it is generally considered a drawing. On the other hand, when the entire surface is covered with pastel, hiding the underlying paper, it is typically regarded as a pastel painting.
The technique employed by the artist also plays a role in determining whether a pastel piece is a drawing or a painting. In drawings, artists often hold the pastel stick like a pencil, creating thinner lines with the tip. In contrast, paintings may involve breaking the pastel stick to create different lengths and using the side of the pastel, resulting in visible stroke widths. Additionally, the process of layering colours and blending them with fingers or other tools is more akin to the painting technique.
The choice of paper significantly influences the final appearance of a pastel piece. Pastel paper comes in a variety of textures, colours, and surfaces, each impacting the marks and effects achievable. Textured or "toothy" paper, such as sanded pastel paper, is essential for pastel as it holds the pastel pigment in place. The tooth and hardness of the paper vary among manufacturers, with some offering a harder surface that can hold multiple layers of pastel. Coloured pastel papers, like Strathmore Pure Tints and Canson Mi-Teintes, are popular choices, as they can unify the artwork with small slivers of colour peeking through.
While the debate between considering pastel as a drawing or painting continues, it is important to acknowledge the unique qualities that pastel brings to the artistic realm. Pastel offers artists an unlimited palette with minimal constraints on application and expression. The blendability and rich texture of pastel allow artists to achieve depth and luminosity in their works, blurring the lines between traditional drawing and painting techniques. Ultimately, the label of "drawing" or "painting" may be less significant than the successful communication of the artist's intent and the appreciation of the artwork itself.
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Application technique
Pastel is a medium that combines elements of both painting and drawing. It is considered a "painterly" medium due to its vibrant colours, use of pure pigment, and ability to achieve painterly effects through blending and layering. However, the process of creating pastel art more closely resembles drawing, as it involves dragging the pastel stick across a rough surface and blending colours directly on the paper.
The application technique used in pastel art can vary depending on whether the artist intends to create a drawing or a painting effect. Here are some techniques for each approach:
Drawing Techniques
- Hold the pastel stick like a pencil and draw thinner lines with the tip of the stick.
- Apply pastel in short strokes or linearly, creating edges that resemble lines where two colours meet.
- Use a pencil-like grip and drag the pastel stick across a rough or toothy surface to deposit the pigment onto the paper.
- Create sketches, preliminary drawings, or field drawings that can be further developed into final paintings using other media.
- Use subtractive techniques by toning areas of the paper and then lightening or darkening values with erasers, blending tools, or additional layers.
Painting Techniques
- Break the pastel stick to create different lengths and apply them using the side of the pastel to create wider stroke widths.
- Layer colours to build up thick layers of pigment, similar to the technique used in oil painting.
- Use blending tools such as fingers, blending stumps, or cloths to smudge and mix colours directly on the surface, creating a painterly effect.
- Apply fixatives, such as glassine or a fixative spray, to secure the pastel marks and prevent further blending or smudging.
- Use a colour shaper, a tool similar to a paintbrush with a silicone nib, to blend and paint with pastels that have already been applied to the surface.
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Artist's intent
The artist's intent when using pastels is a complex and intriguing question. Pastel is a versatile medium that straddles the line between drawing and painting, with its unique characteristics and potential for expression.
Historically, pastel was primarily used for preliminary sketches and field drawings, which were then developed into final paintings using other mediums such as oil paints. This was partly due to the challenges of preserving pastel artworks. However, advancements in materials, framing techniques, and increased demand have led to a renaissance in the use of pastel as a finished artwork.
The definition of pastel as a drawing or painting medium is a matter of perception and context. Some artists and art enthusiasts define drawing as mark-making or line creation with dry media such as charcoal, pencil, or pastel. In this sense, when an artist sketches with pastel, they are drawing. Painting, on the other hand, is often associated with the application of paint or pigment using a brush, and the creation of shapes with colour and value.
However, the line between drawing and painting with pastels is blurred. Pastel artworks can be created by dragging the pastel stick across a rough surface, blending colours directly on the paper, and layering light over dark to create luminous, textured pieces. This process resembles drawing more than painting. Additionally, the amount of paper visible can be a distinguishing factor, with drawings typically showing more negative space than paintings.
The artist's intent may also be influenced by the symbolic use of shape, edge, value, and colour to communicate a particular message or emotion. Pastel's versatility allows artists to create both detailed, realistic portrayals and expressive, abstract works. The intent is ultimately to convey a specific vision or emotion, regardless of the label applied to the artwork.
Some artists and curators refer to their pastel pieces as paintings, while others consider them drawings. This grey area in the definition of pastel artwork adds to the intrigue and subjectivity of the art world, allowing for individual interpretations and appreciation of the artistic process and final creation.
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Audience perception
Some people perceive pastel pieces as paintings, arguing that the vibrant colours and pure pigment of pastels are more akin to painting than drawing. They believe that pastelists think in terms of planes rather than lines, creating edges where colours meet rather than using defined lines. Additionally, the act of layering and blending colours with fingers or other tools is seen as a painting technique. The rich, full application of pastels can create a painterly effect, especially when thick layers are applied. The use of a fixative to preserve pastel pieces further aligns them with paintings.
On the other hand, some people perceive pastel pieces as drawings. They argue that drawing is typically associated with dry media like charcoal, pencil, pen, ink, chalk, or pastel, while painting involves applying wet media with a brush. The immediate and tactile nature of drawing, where marks are made directly on a surface with the hand, is also seen as a defining characteristic. The process of creating pastel pieces often involves sketching and layout, which resembles drawing. Additionally, the amount of paper or surface showing through can be a factor, as drawings tend to have more negative space visible. The application method can also be a distinguishing factor, with drawings often created by holding the pastel like a pencil and drawing thinner lines with the tip.
The perception of pastel pieces as either drawings or paintings is further complicated by the individual styles and techniques of artists. Some artists may use pastels in a way that blurs the boundaries between drawing and painting. Additionally, the definitions of drawing and painting have evolved over time, and there may be cultural or regional differences in perception. For example, there is a tradition in the Western art world of referring to pastel pieces as paintings.
Ultimately, the label of a pastel piece as a drawing or painting may depend on the observer's interpretation and understanding of art mediums. Some people may not be concerned with categorisation, valuing instead the successful communication and enjoyment of the artwork. Artists may be indifferent to the label, allowing viewers to form their own opinions and interpretations.
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Frequently asked questions
Whether a pastel piece is considered a drawing or a painting depends on who you ask. Some people define drawing as mark-making with dry media such as charcoal, pencil, pen and ink, chalk, or pastel, and define painting as applying wet paint with a brush. Others differentiate between drawings and paintings by the amount of paper that is left visible—if there is paper showing through, it is a drawing, and if the paper is completely covered with pastel, it is a painting. Still, others believe that the artist's technique dictates whether pastel is a drawing or a painting.
To make a pastel piece, the pastel stick is dragged across a rough or toothy surface so that the pastel particles can rest on the paper. Unlike painting, the colours are mixed directly on the paper rather than on a palette.
Pastel pieces can look just as luscious and luminous as paintings. They have a wonderfully velvety texture and deep, rich colours that are easy to blend.
Pastel pieces include portraits by Édouard Manet, works by Edgar Degas, pieces by Odilon Redon, and a body of work relating to Venice by James Abbott McNeill Whistler.
