- 1[uncountable] soft colored chalk, used for drawing pictures drawings in pastel
- 2pastels [plural] small sticks of chalk a box of pastels
- 3[countable] a picture drawn with pastels an exquisite pastel of a riverside scene Topic CollocationsFine Artscreating art
- make a work of art/a drawing/a sketch/a sculpture/a statue/an engraving/an etching/a print
- 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/a landscape/a portrait/a mural/in oils/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/an outline
- 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/pattern/design/name into the glass
- mix colors/pigments/paints
- add/apply thin/thick layers of paint/color/pigment
- use oil pastels/charcoal/acrylic paint/a can of spray paint
- work in bronze/ceramics/stone/oils/pastels/watercolors/a wide variety of media
- paint/depict a female figure/a biblical scene/a pastoral landscape/a domestic interior
- have/express/depict/illustrate a traditional/mythological/historical/religious theme
- create an abstract composition/a richly textured surface/a distorted perspective
- paint dark/rich/flesh tones
- use broad brush strokes/loose brushwork/vibrant colors/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/a portrait/a piece/an artwork
- hang art/a picture/a painting/a piece/an artwork
- display/exhibit modern art/somebody's work/a collection/original artwork/ drawings/sculptures/a piece
- be displayed/hung in a gallery/museum
- install/place a sculpture in/at/on something
- erect/unveil/dedicate a bronze/marble statue
- hold/host/mount/open/curate/see an exhibition/exhibit
- be/go on exhibit
- feature/promote/showcase contemporary works/a conceptual artist
- collect African art/modern American paintings/Japanese prints
- restore/preserve great works of art/a fresco
- 4[countable] a pale delicate color The whole house was painted in soft pastels.
Check pronunciation: pastel