Pastel colors are light and pale tones of colors that have been made less saturated by mixing them with white. There are a few reasons why pastels tend to be light:
Less Pigment
Pastel colors contain less pigment and more white than fully saturated versions of the color. For example, a bright red contains a high concentration of red pigment, while a pastel red contains less red pigment and more white pigment. The white desaturates the color and makes it lighter and softer.
Intentionally Pale
Pastels are designed to be pale, soft colors. They are meant to have a washed out, delicate look compared to bold, vibrant hues. Pastels get their name from pastel art mediums like pastel chalk or pastel pencils, which produce soft, light colors.
Absorption and Reflection of Light
The way pastel colors absorb and reflect light causes them to be lighter. Bold colors reflect only some wavelengths of light while absorbing others. Pastels reflect more of the light spectrum, making them paler. They absorb less light and reflect more of it back to our eyes.
History of Pastels
Pastels have traditionally been used as light, delicate colors for artwork. Their soft look was popular in 18th century portraiture and continues to be used for a gentle, romantic look. They are meant to mimic the soft textures and colors of skin and florals.
| Type of Pastel Color | Description |
|---|---|
| Chalk pastels | Made of powdered pigments mixed with a binder and molded into sticks, used for drawing |
| Oil pastels | Pigments mixed with non-drying oil and wax binders, used for painting |
| Soft pastels | Pure powdered pigment with a minimal gum binder, creating brighter colors |
| Hard pastels | Higher ratio of binders creates firmer, drier sticks for sharper lines |
Types of Pastel Pigments
The pigments used to create pastels also contribute to their lightness.
- Chalk – Mineral pigment that creates dusty, muted hues
- Lake pigments – Derived from dyes precipitated onto substrates, tending towards soft colors
- Cadmiums – Inorganic compounds producing opaque, pale colors
These naturally bright pigments are diluted with fillers and binders to produce the typical pastel tone.
Mixing with White
As mentioned previously, pastels by definition contain white pigment mixed with the main hue. Often titanium white or zinc white is added to desaturate the color and lighten it.
Without white added, a blue pigment might produce a strong, vivid blue. When white is mixed in, it reduces the saturation and lightens the blue to a soft pastel blue.
Opacity of Color
Pastel colors tend to be opaque rather than transparent. The pigments reflect light because they are not absorbed into the binders.
This opacity contributes to the chalky, matte look of pastel colors. It also causes more light to be reflected back to the eye, increasing the brightness of the color.
Color Theory
In color theory, tints are created by adding white to a color to reduce saturation. Pastels are essentially tints of bold primary colors.
Adding white brings the vivid hue into a softer, lighter family according to the color wheel. This demonstrates why pastels are paler versions of bolder colors.
Uses in Art and Design
Pastels have been used in art and design for centuries to create soft, delicate looks.
- Portraits – Pastels nicely capture the colors and texture of skin and clothing
- Landscapes – Soft colors render gentle scenery
- Florals – Capture delicate flower petals and greenery
- Impressionism – Dreamy, hazy style suited to pastels
- Fashion/Textiles – Soft, romantic feel for clothing and accessories
The arts have traditionally called for pastels to produce subtle, elegant works. Their prominence in art history establishes pastels as fundamentally light colors.
Comparison to Bold Colors
| Pastel Color | Bold Color |
|---|---|
| Lavender | Purple |
| Baby blue | Navy blue |
| Mint green | Forest green |
| Salmon | Red |
| Butter yellow | Gold |
When placed side by side with saturated colors, pastels clearly stand out as lighter and softer versions of the bold hues.
How Pigment Concentration Affects Color Lightness
The concentration of pigments and fillers in paint or another medium determines how light or dark the color will be:
- High pigment concentration = bolder, darker color
- Low pigment concentration = softer, lighter color
Since pastels contain high amounts of white fillers and binders, the pigment concentration is low. This dilutes the color and keeps it light.
Light Reflective Quality
The natural composition of pastel pigments causes them to reflect light rather than absorb it. This creates an opaque, matte effect and light color.
In comparison, bold primary colors absorb more light wavelengths, reducing what reflects back to the eye. This makes them more saturated and deeper.
Conclusion
In summary, several factors contribute to pastel colors being light and delicate:
- Higher ratio of white pigment
- Intentionally designed to be soft and pale
- Reflective pigments and opacity
- Lower pigment concentration
- History of use for subtle artwork
Their pale, muted nature serves artistic needs for gentle color palettes. Pastels’ weak saturation sets them apart from bold, dramatic colors.
So in essence, pastels gain their light, frothy nature from containing high amounts of white pigment. They absorb less light and reflect more of it back to the eye. Their origins and use in art establish them as fundamentally soft, delicate colors. Comparing them side by side with bold primaries clearly shows their lighter disposition. Taken together, these qualities explain why pastel shades are lighter versions of more saturated colors.
