The correct spelling of the word "pastels" follows the rule of softening the "t" sound in the combination "st" with the letter "s". In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /pæstəlz/. The first syllable "pas" is pronounced as /pæs/ using the unvoiced "s" sound. The second syllable "tels" is pronounced with a soft "t" sound followed by the letter "s", resulting in a /təlz/ sound with the stress on the second syllable. This spelling rule is common in English words like "castles" and "bustles".
Pastels refer to a versatile medium that finds its application in various artistic and creative endeavors. As an adjective, it describes soft, light, and delicate colors that typically have a high proportion of white mixed with a small amount of vibrant pigment. This results in a subtle and muted hue, producing a gentle, airy, and luminous effect when used in artwork or design.
Pastels can also be used to describe a range of art supplies, such as sticks, pencils, or crayons that feature a soft textured, chalk-like consistency. These art materials are made by combining finely ground pigments with a binder, which can be a mixture of gum, resin, or kaolin clay. They are often used in drawing, painting, and portraiture to achieve a smooth and even application of color on a variety of surfaces, including paper, canvas, or even textiles.
The term "pastel" also refers to a technique known as pastel painting, where artists use pastels as their primary medium to create artworks. This technique allows for precise and detailed drawings, as well as the ability to layer and blend colors easily. Pastel paintings are known for their vibrant yet soft appearance, achieved through the delicate application of the medium.
Additionally, "pastels" can indicate a collective term for a set of colors, similar to a color palette. It encompasses a harmonious range of pale, subdued, and subtle tones, often used in expressions like "pastel palette" or "pastel colors" to denote a gentle and tranquil aesthetic.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "pastels" originated from the Italian word "pastello", which means "paste" or "paste-like". It comes from the Latin word "pastellus", which refers to a kind of pastry cake made from flour, oil, and cheese. The Italian term was originally used to describe the mixture of pigments and dry binder materials that form a soft crayon or stick used for drawing and coloring. Over time, the term "pastel" was adopted into various languages, including English, to refer to both the art medium and the range of pale, light colors typically associated with it.