Our newsletter has dropped and we have four new articles, including a brand new medium for our mini tutorials section, the oil pastel. If you haven't tried oil pastels, we would highly recommend you give them a go. Our new tutorial only takes 10 minutes to create a highly effective piece of work, and maybe you will fall in love with the medium too? We certainly love them! We like to cover a different medium or product, in each article, so this quarter, we provide a list of blending tools for soft pastel artists, a selection of black papers for artists who enjoy working on a dark surface. We have chosen various surfaces and brands, suitable for numerous mediums, not just pencils. Finally, we have updated the Prismacolor pencil artist. We really delved deep into the history of these pencils and believe us, these pencils have a great history. They span over a hundred years! We also discuss what these pencils can achieve, as we are aware that they are a favourite of many coloured pencil artists. Click on any of the images below to visit the article and have a read. Why not grab a coffee, as we do throw lots of information into our articles, so we hope you enjoy them. About the Prismacolor pencil |
1. SpongesWhen mixing soft pastels, sponges are the go-to tool for most artists. These are available in various shapes and sizes and can be easily found in art supply stores or even health and beauty stores that sell make-up sponges. How to Apply: To achieve a smooth blend, apply 2-3 shades of pastel to the paper and blend with circular movements. When working with small areas, use the wedge or tip of the sponge. Good: Washable, providing longevity Bad: May tear when used on highly abrasive paper |
2. Blending stumps/ TortillionsBlending stumps and tortillions are tools of tightly packed paper rolled into a pencil shape. These tools have fine tips that allow for blending in small areas and the ability to push pastel around to create or smooth out thin lines. How to apply: To achieve a smooth blend, apply circular motions with the tip or side of the stump. Use excess pastel on the tip to introduce extra pigment to another area of your paper. Good: Low cost, can be 'sharpened' to remove the dirt Bad: Quickly dirtied, Short life span, easily ripped and torn |
3. Pan Pastel Softt toolsOur Sofft tools are crafted from a unique micropore sponge formula, with each tool featuring a distinct shape and size that makes it perfect for blending and applying your pastels. You can easily replace the sponges, which are reusable and simple to clean. How to apply: Rub the sponge across the pastel and apply it to your paper. Afterwards, you can blend the pastel as desired. Good: Re-usable. Economical. Easy to clean. Bad: You will need to clean or change your sponge when moving between dark to light grades, to avoid muddying your colours. |
4. Colour shapersSilicone-made Colour Shapers are versatile tools for blending pastels and other mediums. The tips avoid absorbing material, which is perfect for applying, removing, scraping, and moving colours. Made of durable rubber composite, they help create texture and blend pastels seamlessly. The blue and ivory-coloured tips are soft and suitable for soft pastels. The darker coloured tips are firmer. These are useful for clay and other mediums. How to apply: Before selecting your preferred tool, ensure you have enough pigment on your paper. Then, delicately blend the pigments for optimal results. Good: Long life, easy to clean. Easy to hold Bad: May not be ideal on highly abrasive paper |
5. Pastel applicatorsSponge wands like these help blend small areas of pastel. You may find packs made explicitly for this technique called 'Sofft Mini sponge applicators' from the Pan Pastel company. However, general art stores may sell them too. You can purchase a pack of eyeshadow wands as an inexpensive replacement from your local health and beauty store. However, the sponge will likely be of different quality and may tear easily, but it may be worth a try. How to Apply: Add 2-3 shades of pastel to the paper prior to mixing. To ensure a smooth coverage, mix using circular motions. Good: Economical. Precise application. Bad: May be hard to hold, especially for those who have issues with their hands. Only suitable for blending small areas. |
6. Colourless blenderThe PanPastel Colourless Blender is a versatile medium that can achieve different effects. It can help increase transparency and improve the flow of colour without altering the pigments' original hues. With this medium, you can create a more transparent mix or soften the application's flow. How to apply: This product can be used before applying colour, as a base layer, or mixed with the pigment after application. Good: Easy to mix, non-crumbly. Low dust and less waste. Bad: To be updated |
7. BrushesFor a more precise and soft edge, using a short flat brush to blend your pastels is recommended. This type of brush is sturdier, offering more control. It's important to select the appropriate brush size for each area and to clean off any excess pastel after use to prevent colours from mixing and becoming muddy. How to apply: Gently brush your pastels outwards to soften or in a rotational direction to soften hard lines after applying your layers. Good: Firm application. Targeted application. Bad: Abrasive paper may break the hair in the brush. |
8. FingersIf you're a pastel artist, you may have used your fingers to blend your pastels. While this is a convenient way to blend larger areas, it can be messy and may mix your colours if you don't clean your fingers between colours. To avoid this, use a damp cloth to remove pastels from your fingers and dry them with a towel before mixing the following colours. How to apply: Blend in circular motions with clean fingers to fill in the peaks of the paper and create a smooth layer. Good: Cost-free, quick and easy Bad: Messy applications. Abrasive paper can damage your skin. |
9. Cotton buds or Q-tipsArtists can make use of cotton buds, which are an affordable option. They can blend small areas of pastel drawings and be conveniently disposed of once used. How to apply: To achieve smooth coverage, use circular motions when blending over layers of pigment. Good: Low cost and economical. Bad: When you're searching for Q-tips, consider looking for eco-friendly options instead of plastic ones. Remember that cotton tips might not be the best choice for every project, as they can get stuck on abrasive paper. |
10. Pastel on pastelBlending pastels is possible without a unique tool by layering one colour over another. This technique works well with soft and hard pastels, but the final effect will depend on the type of paper or surface used. Smooth surfaces may not blend as well as abrasive ones. How to apply: Apply each colour on top of the other and push the pastels into the paper's peaks. Lighter applications will enable you to add more layers. Good: No extra tools are needed. Bad: May not create an even blend of colour. |
What products do you use to blend soft pastels?
Do you have other product suggestions we haven't included here?
Please share your own hints and tips with us in the comments section below.
Author
Karen M Berisford
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