Pastel

Painting with pastels, Robin Sheard Nyikos melds layered surfaces, rich color, pattern, and texture. Plus, her five tips for artists.

By John A. Parks

Cranes Falling on Silk (pastel, 29x38) by Robin Sheard Nyikos

Robin Sheard Nyikos paints pastel portraits and still lifes that brilliantly combine richly layered surfaces with great clarity of form. Juxtaposing the patterns of exotic fabrics with delicately nuanced descriptions of flesh, her paintings present a world thats delightfully varied, pleasingly sensual and always engaging.

Additionally, Nyikos often builds her portraits around narrative themes, bringing another dimension of delight and intrigue to the viewer. A woman balances a…