The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of Elena’s studio, illuminating a fine mist of colorful dust that danced in the air. On her heavy wooden easel sat a blank sheet of charcoal-grey sanded paper, waiting for the first touch of life.
She stepped back, her fingers stained a dozen shades of violet and gold. The painting didn't just look like a sunset; it felt like one. The matte, velvety texture of the pastel gave the scene a depth and "glow" that no other medium could replicate. An Introduction to Pastels
Next came the . These were buttery and rich. She applied a vibrant ochre over the distant cliffs. Because pastels are opaque, she could layer light colors directly over dark ones—a freedom few other mediums allowed. The morning sun filtered through the tall windows