Pastel Pointers

About Pastel Pointers

Top Secrets for Beautiful Pastel Paintings

Richard McKinley has been a professional artist for over 35 years. Factor in nearly as many years of teaching experience, and that adds up to a whole lot of know-how to share. In Pastel Pointers, he lays it all out: information on tools, materials, color, composition, landscape elements, finishes and more.

   • Compiles the best of McKinley’s popular Pastel Pointers blog and Pastel Journal columns
   • Covers frequently asked questions (“How do I achieve natural-looking greens?”) and simple solutions to common problems, such as excess pigment buildup
   • Includes a chapter on “The Business of Pastels”—tips for framing, shipping, preparing for gallery shows, and otherwise representing your work in a professional manner


This book covers everything from the fundamentals to get you going (how to lay out your palette, create an underpainting, evoke luminous effects) to inspirations that will keep you growing (plein air painting, working in a series, keeping a painting journal). Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter anxious to explore the expressive possibilities of pastel, this is your guide to making the most of the medium.