Profile of a girl 

Joan Brull created this piece, titled 'Profile of a girl,' with pastel on paper. You see the wispy, soft quality of the medium in the final image. Pastel sticks are essentially pure pigment, bound together with just enough medium to hold their form. Because of this powdery consistency, pastels lend themselves to a rapid, spontaneous application. Brull has masterfully exploited this quality, creating a soft, dreamlike atmosphere. The marks are fleeting, almost like a memory. But don't mistake this apparent ease for a lack of skill. The artist had to be confident to create this effect. The layering of colors, the subtle gradations of tone, all point to a deep understanding of the medium. It’s easy to see pastel as simply a drawing material, but in Brull’s hands, it transcends that limitation, becoming a tool for capturing light, atmosphere, and a sense of fleeting beauty. Understanding the material helps us appreciate the artist's skill in manipulating it.