Drawing in Color

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

Anna on Fire Escape Pastel by John Hulsey

When I was a young art student, I was given a set of 48 soft pastels. I had no previous experience with the pastel medium, but I was a big admirer of the work of Odilon Redon and Edgar Degas, so I jumped in with both hands, as it were. I loved to draw, so I took my pastels to life drawing classes and worked in full color, trying to keep up with the short poses of the models. Thankfully, the instructor did not object or caution me and said little as I gradually increased my speed and familiarity with the medium. That was the beginning of my life-long love affair with pastels. Later, when working in New York, I created illustrations in pastels for several books while also creating my own art with them. Over time, I acquired thousands of colors in all hardnesses and several purpose-built plein air easels and boxes which allow me to paint indoors or out, all winter long. I feel fortunate in this because I so…