Pastel

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="432" caption="The photo above shows a variety of harder pastels on the left, including Girault, Nupastel and Rembrandt, and softer pastelsSchmincke and Great Americanon the right."][/caption]

Since artists first applied sticks of pigment to surface, they've experimented with a variety of techniques. Many of these adventurous artists were first trained in what was considered a more traditional mediumoil. With alla prima oil painting, meaning "all at once," it's imperative to work thinly in the initial application, working up to heavier layers as the painting progresses. Otherwise everything becomes mud. With each layer of…