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Colored Materials

ART STORES BRIM OVER w i t h t h e m a n y wherever permitted, I suggest you do so. CHALK PASTELS
colored materials available. Seemingly Often, there are disparities between the
infinite choices of texture, hue, size, apparent nature or color of what you Pastel pencils make fine lines
shape, quality, and cost are laid out for our hold in your hand and its performance (as above). Sticks and conte
pleasure and perusal. Many products are on paper. Try materials that are new crayons make thicker marks (as
sold individually and in boxed sets. The and unfamiliar; you may be pleasantly below). Bright pastels are more
higher the quality (and cost), the finer surprised to discover something you could brilliant on colored paper.
and more subtle the texture and color not have imagined using. Before making Store loose pastels in dry rice
substantial investments, purchase a small to keep them clean. Be aware
should be. Most stores leave small selection of different items you think you that fixative dulls pastel. Many
pads of paper on their counters will like. See how they work and return artists apply fixative to the back
for customers to test later for more of what proved best for you. of their work, allowing it to fix
materials, and slightly from behind. Degas
built his pastels in layers, fixing
PIGMENTS OIL PASTELS each layer on the front, except
the final layer, which he left
Pigments, used to make colors, are derived from many sources: Oil-based, these work best unfixed to retain its brightness.
rocks, minerals, plants, animals, insects, and synthetics. They vary hugely when slightly warm, and can be wash. They work well on
in cost, intensity, and subtlety. Beware—some are toxic. The nontoxic softened and manipulated with
range below represents a suggested starting point for experiment. degrees of heat. Use them to
draw lightly (as above left) or
1. OIL PASTELS: Many colors, including 2. CHALK PASTELS: Blackboard chalk is thickly, mixed on the paper
and scratched into (as below).
iridescents, are made in brandtshoef bdaisviecrsmeember of the family, great for Dissolve in turpentine or mineral
spirits to produce oil paint or
quality and cost The best are paper- sidewalk work. Pastels are finer; chalk-
or dark paper; though lines can
wrapped sticks of sumptuous, soft, oily based but very subtle, slightly oily to the develop greasy stains around
the edges if the paper is not
pigment. The worst are like revolting touch, crumbly, paper-wrapped, and sold first stretched and treated with tin
a gelatin paste laid as a wash.
old lipsticks that get everywhere except in many colors. Pastel pencils are slender

where you intend. Children's wax crayons and in w o o d casing. C o n t e crayons are

are relatives, and can be a great square-formed, unwrapped harder pastels,

rediscovery for bold drawings. made in about 80 colors.

3. COLORED PENCILS: Dry pigments
ground together with chalk, clay, or wax
and a binder are shaped into fine strips
and encased in w o o d like a graphite pencil.

4. FELT-TIP PENS: Instant-drying alcohol-
or water-based inks stored in the barrels
of the pens are delivered via smooth
nylon o r felt tips of varying shapes and
thicknesses.