Pastel drawing has long been a cherished medium for artists seeking to capture the expressive and emotive qualities of the human face and form. We learned this the hard way… However, in the hands of contemporary visionaries, this age-old technique is being pushed to new and thrilling extremes. By embracing an experimental mindset and fusing pastel with a range of unconventional materials and methods, a new generation of artists is redefining the boundaries of portraiture.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
The Art of Pastel Experimentation
At the heart of this creative revolution is a deep fascination with the inherent qualities of soft pastel – its vibrant, velvety pigments, the delicate layering capabilities, and the tactile, almost sculptural application. Rather than adhering to traditional pastel drawing techniques, these artists are boldly integrating a myriad of experimental approaches to imbue their portraits with added depth, texture, and visual intrigue.
Blending the Boundaries of Media
One such approach involves seamlessly fusing pastel with other artistic media, creating richly layered, multimedia compositions. By incorporating acrylic paint, charcoal, ink, and even collage elements, these artists are able to push the expressive potential of their pastel drawings to new heights. The resulting works often feature a compelling interplay of soft, pastel hues with the sharp contrast of gestural lines, the luminous translucency of glazed acrylics, and the organic materiality of found objects.
Take, for example, the work of Lora Murphy, an Irish artist renowned for her encaustic and mixed media portraits. In her vibrant pastel drawings, Murphy layers molten wax, pigments, and various textural elements to craft deeply evocative, multi-dimensional renderings of the human form. ”I love how pastels allow me to capture the essence of the subject with such vivacity and immediacy,” Murphy explains. “But by combining them with encaustic, collage, and other unconventional techniques, I’m able to imbue my portraits with an added sense of depth and complexity.”
Unconventional Tools and Materials
Pastel artists are also expanding their creative arsenal by incorporating a diverse range of unconventional tools and materials into their practice. In addition to the traditional pastel sticks, brushes, and blending tools, many are experimenting with sponges, rags, palette knives, and even their bare fingers to manipulate the pigments on the surface. The results are often striking, with the unorthodox application methods lending a sense of raw, expressive energy to the finished drawings.
Ann Richman, a contemporary pastel artist, has embraced this experimental ethos wholeheartedly. “I love how pastels allow me to create a wide range of textures, from delicate, feathery strokes to bold, impasto-like effects,” she says. “By incorporating unexpected tools and materials, I’m able to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this medium, infusing my portraits with a unique, tactile quality.”
Richman’s portraits often feature a captivating interplay of smooth, blended passages and gritty, energetic marks, achieved through techniques like sgraffito (scratching through layers of pastel) and the use of sponges, rags, and her own fingers. The resulting works resonate with a raw, expressive power, inviting the viewer to engage with the physical act of their creation.
Experimental Supports and Surfaces
In addition to their innovative approaches to pastel application, contemporary artists are also exploring unconventional supports and surfaces for their work. While traditional drawing papers remain a popular choice, many are experimenting with alternative substrates, such as textured watercolor papers, wood panels, and even repurposed cardboard or found objects.
These unconventional surfaces not only add unique visual and tactile qualities to the finished drawings but also influence the creative process itself. Artists may choose to embrace the inherent properties of the support, allowing the texture or absorbency to guide their mark-making, or they may intentionally work against the surface to create unexpected effects.
One such artist is Megachocolate, who has gained recognition for her pastel drawings on a variety of experimental surfaces. “I love how the choice of surface can completely transform the look and feel of a pastel drawing,” she explains. “Whether it’s the warm, earthy tones of a cardboard panel or the crisp, smooth finish of a sanded paper, the substrate becomes an integral part of the creative process, shaping the final outcome in profound ways.”
Portraits as Vehicles for Emotional Expression
Beyond the technical innovations, what truly defines the work of these contemporary pastel artists is their unwavering commitment to emotional expression. Portraiture, for them, is not merely a realistic depiction of the human form but a means of conveying the complex inner world of their subjects, evoking a range of feelings and experiences.
Capturing the Essence of the Subject
Through a combination of keen observation, imaginative interpretation, and an intuitive understanding of the human psyche, these artists are able to capture the very essence of their subjects, revealing hidden depths and unspoken narratives. Whether working from life, photographic references, or purely from their own imagination, they strive to infuse their portraits with a palpable sense of personality, mood, and emotional resonance.
Odilon Redon, the French Symbolist painter known for his captivating pastel works, exemplifies this approach. His portraits often feature subjects immersed in contemplation, their expressions imbued with a sense of mystery and inner turmoil. “I am attempting to place the visible at the service of the invisible,” Redon once remarked, a sentiment that shines through in the evocative, dreamlike quality of his pastel drawings.
Expressive Color and Lighting
Integral to the emotive power of these contemporary pastel portraits is the artists’ masterful use of color and light. Rather than adhering to strict realism, they employ vibrant, sometimes unconventional hues and dramatic lighting effects to heighten the psychological impact of their work.
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, the renowned French Post-Impressionist, was a master of this approach. In his pastel portraits of dancers and cabaret performers, he used bold, expressive strokes of color to capture the energy and vitality of his subjects, while simultaneously imbuing the images with a sense of melancholy and social commentary.
Similarly, Rosalba Carriera, the 18th-century Italian pastellist, became renowned for her delicate, luminous portraits that exuded a sense of elegance and refinement. Her skilled use of soft, glowing color palettes and subtle gradients contributed to the serene, contemplative atmosphere of her works, inviting the viewer to engage with the sitter’s inner world.
Narrative and Symbolic Portraiture
For many contemporary pastel artists, the portrait serves as a canvas for exploring deeper themes and narratives. By incorporating symbolism, metaphor, and personal storytelling, they transform their subjects into vessels for conveying complex ideas, social commentary, and psychological insights.
Odilon Redon, for instance, often imbued his pastel portraits with mythological and mystical undertones, using symbolic imagery and dreamlike compositions to evoke a sense of the transcendent and the spiritual. In his work “Figure Carrying a Winged Head (The Fall of Icarus),” the subject’s pensive expression and the presence of the winged head suggest a narrative of loss, transformation, and the fragility of the human experience.
Similarly, the work of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec reflects a keen social awareness and a desire to shed light on the marginalized individuals of Parisian society. In his pastel drawing “Salon de la Rue des Moulins,” the artist presents a nuanced, non-judgmental depiction of the daily lives of sex workers, offering a glimpse into their world and inviting the viewer to empathize with their experiences.
Pushing the Boundaries: Tutorials and Techniques
For aspiring artists seeking to expand their own creative horizons, the experimental approaches of these contemporary pastel masters offer a wealth of inspiration and practical guidance. By delving into the fundamentals of pastel drawing and then fearlessly embracing unconventional techniques, budding portraitists can forge their own unique artistic voices.
Mastering Pastel Fundamentals
At the core of any successful pastel portrait lies a solid foundation in drawing and color theory. Aspiring artists would do well to hone their skills in rendering accurate facial features, capturing lifelike proportions, and exploring a range of tonal values and blending techniques.
Pencil sketching, for example, can be a valuable precursor to pastel work, allowing artists to develop their observational skills and understand the underlying structure of the human form. Exercises in value studies and chiaroscuro can also heighten one’s sensitivity to light and shadow, crucial elements in crafting convincing, three-dimensional portraits.
Exploring Unconventional Pastel Techniques
Once the fundamentals are in place, artists can begin to experiment with the wealth of unconventional pastel techniques pioneered by contemporary masters. Sgraffito, for instance, involves scratching through layers of pastel to reveal underlying colors and textures, while the use of sponges, rags, and even the artist’s own fingers can create captivating, expressionistic marks.
Mixing pastel with other media, such as acrylic paint, ink, or collage elements, can also open up a world of creative possibilities. By layering these diverse materials, artists can construct richly textured, multimedia portraits that challenge the traditional boundaries of the medium.
Embracing Diverse Surfaces and Substrates
The choice of surface or support can profoundly impact the look and feel of a pastel drawing. While smooth drawing papers remain a classic choice, artists may also explore the tactile qualities of textured watercolor papers, wood panels, or even recycled cardboard. Each substrate offers unique advantages, from the pronounced tooth of textured papers to the warmth and depth of wooden surfaces.
Experimenting with these unconventional supports can inspire new creative approaches, encouraging artists to adapt their techniques and harness the inherent properties of the materials to enhance the expressive power of their portraits.
Cultivating Emotional Expression
Ultimately, the most compelling pastel portraits are those that go beyond mere technical mastery and delve into the realm of emotional expression. By harnessing the evocative potential of color, lighting, and symbolic imagery, artists can craft portraits that resonate deeply with the viewer, inviting contemplation and evoking a range of feelings and associations.
Through a process of self-discovery, creative risk-taking, and careful observation of the human experience, aspiring portraitists can develop a unique artistic voice that captures the essence of their subjects in a way that is both visually captivating and emotionally resonant.
As the medium of pastel drawing continues to evolve, the work of contemporary visionaries serves as a testament to the boundless creative potential of this versatile and expressive art form. By embracing an experimental mindset and a deep commitment to emotional exploration, these artists are redefining the boundaries of portraiture and inspiring the next generation of pastel masters to push the limits of their own creativity.
Tip: Practice daily sketching to continually refine your technique