Although pastel is a very old medium, it is now enjoying a renaissance among artists and collectors. Increasing numbers of artists are using pastel as their primary medium. Pastel is not “chalk”. The pigments used in pastel are the same pigments used in watercolor, oil, and acrylic painting. The pastel stick is made up of very finely ground pigment held in stick form by a very light binder. The pastel stick is applied to a finely textured, prepared, neutral pH surface, most commonly sand, aluminum oxide or pumice using various stroke techniques. The friction between the pigment and the painting surface permanently locks the microscopic pastel grains in place. The lack of oil, acrylic, or liquid binders found in other mediums allows the pastel painting to exude a stunning brilliance and clarity not found in other painting mediums.

There are as many techniques of pastel painting as there are artists who are using the medium. Beautiful textures, vibrant colors, expressive strokes, and sensitive modeling are part of pastel's appeal to the artist and the collector. Pastel artists are free from the hassles of tedious preparation, technical application details, and drying time found in other paint mediums. The possibilities of the pastel medium are endless, limited only by the artist's ingenuity and imagination .

The permanency of pastel contributes to its value. Properly framed, displayed and protected by UV museum glass, the realistic life expectancy of a pastel painting can be measured in centuries. The purchaser of a pastel painting can be assured that the work they are buying today will remain beautiful and vibrant for their lifetime and far into the future.