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.

The Things That Move Us

The Pastel Journal

In Memoriam: Janie Hutchinson

Seeing Silence: The Paintings of Helene Schjerfbeck

A Venice Like No Other • James McNeill Whistler chose to showcase a quiet courtyard rather than popular views.

What's in a Name? • Mark Ivan Cole shares his streamlined image file organization system.

27TH ANNUAL PASTEL 100 • From a majestic mountain vista to a few paddling ducks on a quiet pond, from subtle refinement to bold strokes and compositional complexities, the prizewinning paintings and honorable-mention winners in this year's competition offer a visual showcase of the expansive range of artistic voice. We are delighted to tip our hats to all the artists featured in the special coverage on the following pages, and to celebrate the extraordinary skill, talent, originality and compelling storytelling on display in these 100 examples of pastel excellence.

AN EYE FOR EXCELLENCE • THIS YEAR'S FIVE CATEGORY JURORS DISCUSS THEIR STRATEGIES FOR SELECTING AWARD-WINNERS FROM A SEA OF PASTEL TALENT.

Sharing BEAUTY • THE SPECTACULAR MAJESTY OF THE SUBJECT IN CLINT HOWARD'S AWARD-WINNING PASTEL, UNFOLDING, IS ELEVATED AND MADE BREATHTAKINGLY PALPABLE THROUGH THE ARTIST'S MASTERLY HAND AND ACUTE SENSIBILITY.

Transforming THE ORDINARY • JULIE FREEMAN'S PRIZEWINNING STILL LIFE SHOWCASES HER SIGNATURE ATTENTION TO TEXTURE, COLOR AND DEPTH WHILE MARKING A SHIFT FROM NATURAL REALISM TO NARRATIVE-DRIVEN COMPOSITIONS.

A Tranquil Repose • BLENDING MASTERFUL REALISM WITH TENDER EMOTION, LIHUA YU'S PRIZEWINNING PORTRAIT IS A POETIC MEDITATION OF LOVE.

An Economy of Strokes • WITH HIS ASSURED MARKS AND RESTRAINED PALETTE, JIANJIE ZHOU TURNS A SIMPLE SCENE OF DUCKS ON THE WATER INTO A RIVETING EXPRESSION OF QUIET, EVERYDAY BEAUTY.

The Art of “What If?” • CAROL STROCK WASSON'S MASTERY OF LIGHT, VALUE AND TONE GIVES VOICE TO A MOMENT OF QUIET STILLNESS IN AN AWARD-WINNING LANDSCAPE.

LANDSCAPE & INTERIOR

LANDSCAPE & INTERIOR

PORTRAIT & FIGURE

PORTRAIT & FIGURE

STILL LIFE & FLORAL

STILL LIFE & FLORAL

ANIMAL & WILDLIFE

ANIMAL & WILDLIFE

ABSTRACT & NON-OBJECTIVE

ABSTRACT & NON-OBJECTIVE

A Matter of Touch • Explore the similarities, differences and benefits of various paper types when working in pastel.

Artists Marketplace

The Art of Letting Go