Pastel
A mixture of white chalk and colored powder. Although a kind of pastel has been already used from the 15th century, during the 18th century was spread widely as a technique, primarily with the work of French portraitists like M.K de Latouche and Sarder (its light and graceful effects suited to the trends and preferences of these artists). Due to Degas, the technique of pastel has known a real revival and influenced many of the Impressionists.