Pastels offer brilliant colors and high pigmentation. They are ideal for an artist who wishes to use intense color. They offer a lot of diversity, as they are mixable, wipeable, and water soluble. They can be used to achieve a wide range of drawing effects, from crisp lines to soft feathery textures. They are easy to use when paint is not. Because there is no drying time, they make it easy to be spontaneous, and work at a moment's notice.