The Pastel Journal

Pastel Journal covers topics of interest to working pastelists as well as those who work in pastel as an additional medium along with those who are just experimenting with the medium.

Alive and Kickin’

The Pastel Journal

Pastel Artists Shine at ICAN 2025 • Pastel Artists of Canada combined its biennial conference with its 35th annual “Purely Pastel” exhibition, drawing artists from around the world.

SAVE THE DATE! IAPS 16TH BIENNIAL CONVENTION

Bold New Hues by Terry Ludwig • A beloved pastel manufacturer adds a new pastel set to its range.

LEARN TO PAINT LUMINOUS FLORALS IN PASTEL WITH ANNE KINDL

When Less Says More • Dawn Emerson channels a modern master to guide her artistic approach.

A Journey Revisited • Nearly two decades later, a trip abroad serves up a series’ worth of creative fodder.

Working Large • Weigh these practical considerations for creating pastel works on a grand scale.

SURFACE OPTIONS

THE GIFT OF Seeing • GUIDED BY INTUITION AND SHAPED BY EXPERIENCE, JUDY DREW BRINGS EMOTION TO LIFE THROUGH STRATEGIC MARKS AND LUMINOUS FORMS.

LAYERS OF MEANING • GABRIELA GONZALEZ DELLOSSO CREATES COMPLEX FIGURATIVE PAINTINGS THAT TELL THOUGHT-PROVOKING STORIES ABOUT HUMAN NATURE.

WEAVING COLORS

PUZZLING OUT PORTRAITURE • FOR ILENE GIENGER-STANFIELD, EACH PAINTING IS A PUZZLE OF COLOR AND SHAPE DESIGNED TO REVEAL THE VITALITY AND SPIRIT OF HER SUBJECTS.

THE ART OF FEELINGS • JUDITH KADZYM LEEDS DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM LOVED ONES AND STRANGERS TO TELL POWERFUL STORIES OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

ONE FOR THE BOOKS

A LEGACY IN LINE • GARY CARABIO CREATES PASTEL WORKS THAT CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF PEOPLE AND PLACES—AND THE RHYTHM OF THE LIVES WITHIN THEM

KEEPING IT FRESH

PASTEL BENCHMARKS • THE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE ON DISPLAY IN “BENCHMARK 2025,” THE 126TH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF THE PASTEL SOCIETY, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, DEMONSTRATES ARTISTIC ACCOMPLISHMENT AND INNOVATION, AND ALSO HIGHLIGHTS THE INCREDIBLE FIELD OF TALENT AT WORK IN PASTEL AND DRY MEDIA TODAY.

The Artful Alchemy of Backgrounds • Create backdrops for your portrait and figurative works that sing with power and purpose.

VIGNETTES

A Breakthrough Portrait