By Rick Citta.
Painting in pastel is certainly my most comfortable and natural medium of choice. There is something unique and very special about pastels. Much more can be, and will be, written here in my blog about this versatile medium. In fact pastel paintings that are well accomplished can sometimes look as if they are oil paintings.
My favorite feature of pastels is that they allow you to be in direct contact with your painting surface. Your fingers can directly apply the pastel to the surface and it is as if you the artist become deeply connected to your painting and experience real tactile sensations. A certain intimacy evolves with you, the artist, and your work of art.
As well, you can with the same pastel stick, available in hundreds upon hundreds of color choices, create many varied strokes, from broad sweeping strokes to precise linear, hard edged strokes. Ok, more to come on future postings of this amazing medium.