pastel
noun /ˈpæstl/
/pæˈstel/
- [uncountable] soft coloured pigment (= a powder that is mixed with liquid to make paint), used for drawing pictures
- in pastel drawings in pastel
- pastels[plural] small sticks containing pigment for drawing
- a box of pastels
- [countable] a picture drawn with pastels
- an exquisite pastel of a riverside scene
Collocations Fine artsFine artsCreating art- make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/engravings/etchings/prints
- do an oil painting/a self-portrait/a line drawing/a rough sketch
- create a work of art/an artwork/paintings and sculptures
- produce paintings/portraits/oil sketches/his most celebrated work/a series of prints
- paint a picture/landscape/portrait/mural/in oils/in watercolours/(US English) in watercolors/on canvas
- draw a picture/a portrait/a cartoon/a sketch/a line/a figure/the human form/in charcoal/in ink
- sketch a preliminary drawing/a figure/a shape
- carve a figure/an image/a sculpture/an altarpiece/reliefs/a block of wood
- sculpt a portrait bust/a statue/an abstract figure
- etch a line/a pattern/a design/a name into the glass
- mix colours/(US English) colors/pigments/paints
- add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/colour/(US English) color/pigment
- use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
- work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolour/a wide variety of media
- paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
- depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
- create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
- paint dark/rich/skin/flesh tones
- use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colours/a limited palette/simple geometric forms
- develop/adopt/paint in a stylized manner/an abstract style
- commission an altarpiece/a bronze bust of somebody/a portrait/a religious work/an artist to paint something
- frame a painting/portrait
- hang art/a picture/a painting
- display/exhibit modern art/somebody’s work/a collection/original artwork/drawings/sculptures/a piece/a painting
- be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
- install/place a sculpture in/at/on something
- erect/unveil a bronze/marble/life-size statue
- hold/host/mount/open/curate/see an exhibition (especially British English)/(North American English usually) an exhibit
- be/go on (British English) exhibition/(North American English) exhibit
- feature/promote/showcase a conceptual artist/contemporary works
- collect African art/modern British paintings/Japanese prints
- restore/preserve a fresco/great works of art
- [countable] a pale delicate colour
- The whole house was painted in soft pastels.
- The white walls were repainted in pastel shades.
Word Originmid 17th cent.: via French from Italian pastello, diminutive of pasta ‘paste’.