A survey of materials, equipment and the exciting range of pastels now available leads straight into the first lessons in mark-making and developing pastel techniques. The essentials of form, tone, light and colour are explained next, before moving on to working from life, both indoors and out. All the basic elements of picture making - including measuring and drawing skills, dealing with backgrounds, using photographs and sketchbooks, and tackling perspective - are explored here through a wonderful range of still-life, figurative and landscape subjects, which build skills as the lessons progress. Each lesson begins with a list of its aims, which are followed by clear instructions on how to achieve them. Step-by=step demonstrations, annotated artworks and finished paintings reveal the whole process in detail, while practical exercises allow beginners to build up their own invaluable workbook - from first strokes to finished landscapes.