Vernal sunshine 

Istvan Nagy created "Vernal Sunshine" using pastel on paper. The fuzzy effect of the pastel, applied in broken strokes, speaks to a fleeting moment in nature. The materiality of pastel sticks – compressed pigment and binder – allowed Nagy to achieve a rich layering of colors and textures, giving the scene a hazy, dreamlike quality. The dry, powdery nature of pastels lends itself to a soft, matte finish, capturing the muted light of early spring. Look at the staccato strokes building up the form of the houses and bare trees, their solidity emerging gradually from the atmospheric background. Nagy's technique emphasizes directness and spontaneity. The immediacy of pastel, applied with minimal blending, captures the transient beauty of the landscape. This approach elevates the material's inherent qualities, blurring the lines between drawing and painting, and prompting us to see value in processes that are usually considered preliminary.