This would be a good reference book to add to your beginner's library. It covers many subjects, so it gives you an overview of many techniques associated with painting with pastels. It goes into principles of color, shading & perspective. There are many step by step illustrations. Included are lessons on landscapes, still life, cityscapes & portraiture and the illustrated methodology to go with them.

This is my 2nd favorite book from a massive library of pastel books. LOL It's one you can learn from and still go back to again and again!

The book's subtitle below "Pastel School" starts off with "A practical guide..." and this is so true! I am impressed at the book's clarity in how it is sectioned and titled for each skill/technique discussed. Information from getting the type of pastels you may want to use to recommendations on caring for the finished artwork is all covered. Some may say that the information in a few sections is a bit sketchy/limited, but if you want to learn more (e.g. doing portraits), there are additional books available that can provide a pastel artist to advance and learn more. This book gives you the basics, but also allows for growth in the sections on types of art styles that one may produce (e.g. still life, landscapes, flowers, portraits). This book, plus another one I am using, are enabling me to learn pastel art in a way that that will ensure long-term enjoyment with this art medium. I can't wait to get back to my new package of pastel papers to begin a new piece, particularly with a few of the skills I've expanded upon from the information I've learned from this book!

Perfunctorily scanned and look forward to prepping self with this and other pastel tomes/volumes bought for the purpose. Now to find the time to get back to it. It's been nearly 35 years.

This book is incredibly helpful with demonstrations, suggestions for colors, layering options, and beautiful illustrations with various styles shown. The only thing that would have been even more helpful to this book was a little more information about paper and pastel suppliers and the difference in quality between them. I'm still giving it 5 stars though!