Pastel artists of all skill levels will find invaluable information in this comprehensive resource that shows how to work with pastels and how to choose them. Divided into two parts, the first section contains an A-to-Z encyclopedia covering the full pastel range, including soft pastels, hard pastels, pastel pencils, oil pastels, and water-soluble pastels. The exact characteristics of each medium are explained as are specific pastel brands. The second section contains a broad selection of themes in which techniques are shown in concept. Lavishly illustrated throughout, this reference includes galleries of paintings for inspiration and step-by-step instructions for a variety of subjects, including landscapes, portraits, and still lifes.