Painting the Landscape in Pastel

From the write-up about the book I did expect more, this isn't a tutorial book, there are 5 step by step tutorials but with insufficient illustrative steps. I purchased it because I am currently struggling from working 'dark to light' but couldn't find much if any details about this. there isn't any reference given to working with water with your soft pastels, I have tried this and it's a revelation, If you are using fine 'wet and dry' sandpaper it's really worth giving it a try to get your background down. There are lots of pictures of the artists works which are lovely to look at and do give the reader some ideas to adapt and use. I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that the best way to learn this art form is to put the book down, pick up your pastels and just 'play' like a child with them. There is so much available on u-tube I would refer to this as a first source, as a retired library assistant I never would be expecting to put this into a book review. I purchased this second hand from an Amazon source, if I had purchased it new I might feel inclined to return it as it teaches so very little.

This is a super little book.Though there are a few brief demonstration pages, this isn't one of those step-by-step spoon-feeding, how-to books; rather, it mainly offers good technical advice, addresses a wide range of landscape topics and generally does it`s work by providing copious examples of Handell`s own bold and broadly-painted work - there are about 150 good sized colour illustrations.Some aspects are a bit Americentric - suppliers, references to artists and societies etc., aren`t particularly relevant to UK readers - but the painting advice and examples are applicable no matter where you chose to work.I teach art; I bought this as much for myself as for use with my students; it is a book that should prove valuable to anyone who uses traditional dry pastel or is just coming to the medium. It`s also the kind of reference I prefer to see students using as it leaves them to work from inspired example rather than just "build the Airfix kit" as a colleague once put it. I appreciate that this book may not be explanatory enough for the complete beginner, but I really couldn't see anyone fail to gain something from it. Use the "look inside" option if it`s available to see if the author`s approach appeals to you.Highly recommended.

An inspirational book. Hadn't heard of the artist before, even though he's been around for a long time. Beautiful pastel paintings. Hope I will be able to benefit from this book by loosening up my style of pastel painting. Lots of gorgeous colour pictures with comments by the author on what he was trying to achieve and the conditions under which he was painting. There are a few step by step examples but it isn't really that kind of book. Although the colours are so very vibrant, reflecting the part of America he lives in, it's an enjoyable book wherever you live. It's one to keep going back to.

If you paint with pastels but have had only limited help so far, as in most art books which tend to treat pastels as a poor relation to other mediums, then this book will be a real eye opener. The intensity of colour in the paintings shown is remarkable, and every aspect of the landscape (water, sky, rocks, trees, seasons) has a separate chapter on depicting them with pastels, including a descriptive step-by-step of how a picture of the subject was made. There is a chapter on specific techniques with pastels, and more general chapters on colour and light. As a pastel artist, this book filled a need for me, and has become my reference bible.

As a very long-term user of the pastel medium, I found this book stimulated fresh ideas for subjects and methods of application. The American artist in general is well tuned to producing natural landscapes, capturing light and weather effects, etc. It is not a beginner's book. These types of books usually capture the artist's thought-patterns and mode of thinking as they work, which is valuable information for those trying to progress their work to another level. Publications by decent pastel artists are not overly numerous, therefore I recommend it for inclusion in a personal library.

I was attracted to the title and cover picture as I plan to paint landscapes using pastels and the tones of the cover image looked like the type I wanted to emulate. Sadly this was one of the best images and the rest were less inspiring. It also lacked useful insights into colour and technique. There are some useful insights and at present I am reading anything on pastel so its still better than over general all types of painting manuals.

Such an easy book to follow and good advice throughout. Only wish I had bought it sooner.Love the examples given and easy to follow .

exactly what I wanted, I am so pleased. A friend was so impressed when she saw this book that she asked me to order one for her (which I have done) and we will learn from it together, A really great book!!