Pastels for the Absolute Beginner

Based near Exeter in Devon, Rebecca de Mendonça paints, teaches and writes. Her dynamic pastels capture the movement and atmosphere of subjects ranging from equestrian and landscape to figures and architecture. After graduating in Theatre Design, Rebecca's early career was in theatre and interior design in London. She undertook portrait commissions of West End actors and dancers in English National Ballet.She is an Associate Member of the Society of Equestrian Artists, currently focusing her paintings on people working with horses, and moorland ponies. Rebecca has exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London with the Pastel Society and also as a finalist in the Artists of the Year Exhibition, 2019. Rebecca co-founded The New Pastel School in 2013.

This thorough guide to the rewarding medium of pastel will teach you much more than just the basics and may be the only pastel book you'll ever need!Rebecca introduces new techniques in an eminently practical way, demonstrating detail and loose styles of working, giving you the chance to explore the medium as widely as possible.

• Introduction 6Materials 8Setting up your workspace 12Starting to draw 16Pastel techniques 28Bauble – step by step 36Teasel – step by step 46Colour 56Rolling Fields – step by step 62Landscapes 70 Rocky Tor – step by step 74Billowing Clouds – step by step 92The Birches – step by step 104Life in your paintings 110Child with Fishing Net – step by step 120 Toby – step by step 130 Composition 140Index 144