Product Description

Following the best-selling Workbook format, each lesson in this introduction to pastel begins with a list of aims, together with clear instructions on how to achieve them. Step-by-step demonstrations, annotated artworks and finished paintings reveal the whole process in detail, while practical exercises allow beginners to build up their own invaluable workbook. A book to inspire all those new to this adaptable and lively medium.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1047026 in Books
• Published on: 2002-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

From Library Journal
Simmonds, a popular English pastelist, has stunningly produced exactly what she set out to: a complete, well-written pastel course, covering everything from simple marks to sophisticated paintings. Her lesson on water and skies, for example, contains dozens of mini-lessons on the transitory moods and colors of the sea, the clouds, and reflections in ponds. Whether dealing with portraits, landscapes, or creative interpretations of the styles of C?zanne or Van Gogh, Simmonds never fails to inspire. Recommended for most collections, this is a good companion to other pastel books, like Exploring Pastel with Barry Watkin (LJ 3/15/97).
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
'... continues Daved & Charles' successful series of well-designed landscape-format study guides... lively, user-friendly, packed with gorgeous reproductgions... a real pleasure to use.' - Leisure Painter

About the Author
Jakie Simmonds is a well known and popular pastel artist. The winner of two major awards for pastel painting, she has held several one-woman exhibitions and her work has featured in many others. She is a regular contributor to the leisure paiting press and one of the foremost authors on the subject, with several other books to her credit. Her beautiful light-filled paintings have appeared in numerous other publications and she teaches and makes videos on the medium. Jackie lives in Northwood, Middlesex.

Customer Reviews

Private tutor with half a price
I am new to this medium and therefore eager to find a good book which would not only teach me the basics of pastels, but also how to improve my skills even further. So when I came upon Jackie Simmonds' Pastel Workbook, it was exactly the kind of book I was looking for. I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Compared to the books on pastels out there in the market I think this is by far the best for beginners and even for those in the intermediate level. This book "baby sits" you. It goes through every step in great detail. You really cannot go wrong, but if you do she teaches you how to make corrections. The book has full color illustrations and the pictures are taken at a close shot so you do not have to wonder if it's a sidestroke or a thin line. The book has ten lessons and every lesson in this book begins with an aim and ends with a tip. Lesson one introduces you to the materials and equipment while lesson two shows you how to use your pastel to create the different strokes, followed by how to form shapes, the use of colors to create the different effects and so forth. Once you are comfortable with the terms and use of pastels she gradually teaches you to compose pictures, paint beautiful landscapes, paint skies and winter scenes. This book does not frustrate you is all I can say as you get to see instant results in your artwork. Having this book is truly like having my good old art instructor Mr. Albert beside me but even better because I can use the book as a reference whenever I need to. I have noticed great improvement in my pastel skills in just a few days of acquiring this book. My friends could hardly believe that I did not take a class in pastel drawing. I give five stars to Jackie Simmond's book. It's worth every cent I paid for.

GREAT BOOK FOR BEGINNERS!!
I am an absolute beginner and have bought many pastel books and this is one of the 2 best i have.It assumes you know nothing, which for me, was true.It begins with basic marks and techniques and progresses into making pictures. I gained much confidence by going through this well organized book. If you are an absolute beginner, buy it!!!

Fabulous book for interested beginner!
I have made here and there some trials to get into pastel but due to the kind of instruction books that I used my results were less than thrilling. So I started wondering whether maybe I have just zero talent (I am only talking about 'fun amateur talent') to use this medium - until I bought this book. Suddenly my results turn out to be beautiful thanks to this excellent instructional book which really leads you step by step to the next level. Even the simple exercises turn out as fun little pieces worthwhile keeping. Jackie Simmonds somehow manages to come up with an explanation for every mistake you can make and how to fix it - in my opinion she really knows how to teach others and her style to put it into writing is very pleasant - even just reading the book will be half the fun. Also broad spectrum of examples is covered.
In my opinion more than worthwhile the money I paid for it and I will buy more books from Jackie Simmons. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!