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10 great products for blending soft pastels

8/5/2022

Are you an artist who uses soft pastels? Do you need help with blending techniques or want to learn more about how to mix pastels? We've done the research for you and compiled a list of the top ten tools that can improve your pastel work. Discover new ways to blend and create with our comprehensive guide.

Blending tools for soft pastels - sponges, blender, paper stump, Sofft tools, paintbrush, cotton buds and inscribe pastels

In this article, we will go over ten different techniques for blending soft pastels. We will also provide instructions on how to apply each technique and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Make up sponges for blending soft pastels

1. Sponges

When 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/ Tortillions

Blending 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

Pan Pastel sofft tools and pastel colours

3. Pan Pastel Softt tools

Our 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 shapers

Silicone-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 applicators

Sponge 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 blender

The 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. Brushes

For 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. Fingers

If 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.

Bamboo cotton buds in a cardboard box - Eco friendly option

9. Cotton buds or Q-tips

Artists 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 pastel

Blending 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.

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Loxley Fixative for pencil & pastel artists

2/11/2020

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Loxley spray fixative 200ml is a high quality, colourless, non-yellowing protection medium with UV Filter and is CFC free.

It protects artwork from atmosphere damage caused by moisture and the suns UV rays as well as preventing smudging and is recommended particularly for use on charcoal, pencil, pastel, crayon, chalk drawings and paintings.

This is available in two sizes: 200ml and 400ml.

PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION:
I have used this product for many years to help seal my graphite and coloured pencil drawings as well as my pastel portraits too. I have tried some other fixatives, but I personally like this one due to the fact that it also includes a UV filter, which offers extra protection. Some fixative nozzles can become blocked which is when spitting happens and this can leave marks on your drawing, particularly noticeable if you use it for your pastel paintings. I have never had that problem with the Loxley one.

USING IT ON MY OWN DRAWINGS
When working on my coloured pencil portraits, I sometimes apply a fixative between the layers which helps to extend the working surface and minimise saturation if I have applied a large amount of layers to a particular piece. As the fixative secures previous layers, ensure you have finished blending as you may not be able to do this after sealing it with fixative. In the video above, you can see the Loxley fixative appear in the video showing you where I apply a spray of fixative. There are around 8 or 9 layers on this area alone and as I need to apply highlights to the dark fur, the fixative allows me to do this without muddying the colours. I can then continue with more layers. Once the portrait is complete, I treat it with two layers over the whole of the portrait to minimise smudging and to offer extra protection to the framed portrait, particularly as many people do not choose a UV or museum glass when framing.

USING IT ON PASTEL ART
If you work with pastels, you may wonder if you should use a fixative on your drawings. Take a look at the comparison photos below and see what may happen if you do. The one on the left is before applying fixative and the one on the right is after. See how the fixative has darkened the colours, creating a more translucent finish. The fixative has dampened the pastel application, causing the darkening of the pastels. This may depend on the pastels you use though as higher quality pastels may not react in the same way as cheaper brand ones due to their being more pigment in them. Many papers, particularly textured ones, do not require a fixative as they hold the pastel well with minimal pastel drop. At the end of the day, the final decision is yours alone.

violet flower in dry pastels after being treated with a spray fixative

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
When spraying, hold the can about 12" away from your upright drawing and spray evenly from top to bottom. It has also been suggested to me that you can turn your drawing 45 degrees and respray, so you are applying a balanced amount over the whole of your drawing. Spray too close and you may create speckling from the aerosol.

WHAT ABOUT USING HAIRSPRAY AS A CHEAP ALTERNATIVE TO FIXATIVE?
Never use hairspray as a fixative. Manufacturers of hairspray make this product for use on hair, not artwork. As hairspray is not acid-free, should you spray it over your artwork, it could cause it to yellow over time. The acid in the hairspray can cause discolouration of the pigment and may also make the paper brittle too. If you have ever used hairspray, you'll note that some can leave a tacky residue behind, not good for your work. It really is better to buy a fixative made for art, which will help protect your work properly for many years.

If you wish to see the final portrait of the Boxer dog being created in the video above, click this link

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10 great products for blending soft pastels

1. Sponges

2. Blending stumps/ Tortillions

3. Pan Pastel Softt tools

4. Colour shapers

5. Pastel applicators

6. Colourless blender

7. Brushes

8. Fingers

9. Cotton buds or Q-tips

10. Pastel on pastel

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.

Loxley Fixative for pencil & pastel artists

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10 great products for blending soft pastels

1. Sponges

2. Blending stumps/ Tortillions

3. Pan Pastel Softt tools

4. Colour shapers

5. Pastel applicators

6. Colourless blender

7. Brushes

8. Fingers

9. Cotton buds or Q-tips

10. Pastel on pastel

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.

Loxley Fixative for pencil & pastel artists

Author

Archives

Categories

SOCIAL MEDIA

INFORMATION

PAGES OF INTEREST

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.