Are you new to soft pastels and looking for advice?
If you are thinking of trying soft pastels for the first time but unsure which products to buy or where to begin, this article provides you with a comprehensive list of information.
Soft pastels comprise of a dry pigment held together with a combination of binder and filler. They are vibrant and offer quick results with no drying time needed like some other mediums. Mistakes can be easily concealed and achieving flawless, tonal transitions require little practice. It is this succinct nature of pastels, coupled with the vibrancy of the pigments that can provide considerable enjoyment whilst learning and adds to their appeal.
Soft pastels comprise of a dry pigment held together with a combination of binder and filler. They are vibrant and offer quick results with no drying time needed like some other mediums. Mistakes can be easily concealed and achieving flawless, tonal transitions require little practice. It is this succinct nature of pastels, coupled with the vibrancy of the pigments that can provide considerable enjoyment whilst learning and adds to their appeal.
1. Pastels
There are four types of 'dry' pastel; Soft, Hard, compact and pencil. They also come in many forms; half stick, full stick, slim, thick, soft and hard. With all these choices, it adds to the confusion when buying your first set. Soft pastels (also known as dry pastels), are made from a mixture of dry pigment, binder and filler to form a paste which is then rolled or shaped and left to dry. The ratio of pigment and binder differ in each range, so a soft pastel like Unison contains less binder. This means they crumble easier but provides intense colours. Hard pastels contain more binder. This makes them more suited to fine detail but, more binder means less vibrancy and they do not blend or smudge as well. Artists will use a combination of pastels in their work.
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Soft and Hard pastels can be used alone or combined with each other. Soft pastels have less binder and can be messy, but they blend easier allowing you to cover larger areas faster. Hard pastels have more binder making them firmer and the cleanest option. They do not blend as well but you can achieve fine detail that a soft pastel cannot.
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Pan Pastels are made using the finest quality pigments for the most concentrated colours possible. They use a unique manufacturing process which require minimal binder and fillers, resulting in rich, ultra soft and super-blendable colours. You can use them for painting, drawing and mixed media. The colours have excellent lightfastness and are fully erasable.
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Pastel pencils can be used wherever you want to create very fine detail. Brands like Faber Castell, Derwent and Stabilo are made from a mixture of pigment, binder and filler. Each brand will vary in vibrancy, blendibility and ease of application. If you opt to work with pastel pencils, the brand you choose will be down to personal preference.
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2. Paper/support
There are numerous surfaces out there for use with pastels and it can be overwhelming trying to choose the best one, particularly if it is your first time using pastels. As pastels are dry, paper with a tooth is needed so the pastel can grip well, using a smooth paper will not hold the pastel and most of it will slip off. We explain about the better known pastel papers and explain the differences between each. Which one do we recommend you start your journey with? The Clairfontaine Pastelmat is a great surface for artists of any calibre but we would recommend purchasing a trial pack (like this one) allowing you to try a few different surfaces and pick the one(s) you prefer. Every paper and artist is different and the type of art you create can play a part in your selection. Pastel sketches will not require a toothy paper like a detailed portrait would and modern style art may be more effective on papers that not only have a tooth but a texture.
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Pastel papers offer both tooth and texture. They are affordable, available in a wide range of colours, highly affordable and you can buy them individually or in a pad. The Canson Mi-tientes paper has a honeycomb texture on one side and a fine grain on the other, which can provide a good starting point for the beginner. Other papers include Fabriano Ingres and Tiziano, Hahnemuhle Ingres and Clairfontaine Ingres.
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Abrasive papers are the most popular choice for pastel art as they hold more pastel than paper sheets. Many brands are created by screenprinting a primer onto a sheet of watercolour paper which provides a sturdy base for your work. UArt is created using a computer processing system and they offer seven different grade surfaces from 800 (Very fine) to 240 (rough)
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Velour paper offers a very different finish to other papers. It is composed of an acid-free backing sheet, coated with inert synthetic fibres. This grabs the pastel well and presents as a soft, painterly finish particularly favoured by animal artists. On the downside, velour paper is not as forgiving and if you are a newcomer to pastels, you may find it laborious. Soft pastel can fall from the paper easier than hard pastels.
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3. Blending tools
The following products are an integral part of the pastel art kit. As pastels can be messy, blending your work using sponges, shapers and tortillions instead of using your hands will help to minimise the transfer of pastels between layers. The Pan Pastels have their own blending tool kit. Each tool specially shaped for working specific areas.
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Blending sponges come in various shapes and sizes. They are useful for blending pastels instead of using your fingers and pointed edges make it easier to blend the smaller detail. Found in many art and craft stores, you can buy them in packs or as a low-cost alternative, use make-up sponges instead. Wash them regularly with soap and water to minimise colour transfer.
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Colour shapers and tortillions are designed to tease and blend small areas of your work. Colour shapers can be cleaned using soap and water but as tortillions are made of rolled paper, you can peel away each layer to expose clean paper underneath. A more economical blending tool but not suited to abrasive papers as they will wear down the tip. Suited to smooth papers.
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Pan pastel have designed their own 'Sofft' blending tools. These are made from a specially formulated micropore sponge for applying pastels to any area you need it most.
Each tool has a unique shape and size, based on artist’s brushes. They are versatile, re-usable & easy to clean. Also available are sponges for blending larger areas and applicators for the smaller detail. |
4. Sharpeners and shapers
There are different ways to shape your pastels to allow you to create the precision you need in your work. Pencil sharpeners or craft knives for the pencil form, sandpaper for hand-held pastels. Soft pastels are not suited to shaping or sharpening as they are crumbly and you will end up with a pile of dust which is an expensive waste. Hard pastels can be moulded over fine sandpaper and pastel pencils can be sharpened two ways. Either with a good old-fashioned pencil sharpener or with a craft knife. This can be followed by manipulation over fine sandpaper.
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Pencil sharpener
The basic sharpener tends to be a single or double holed sharpener and made of plastic or metal. The metal brand is far more robust than a plastic one as it is stronger, easier to replace the blades and puts less pressure on the wood in your pencil due to the robustness. Ensure you replace the blade once it becomes blunt or you may damage the wood in the pencil. |
Craft knife for pastel pencils
Many artists use a craft knife to sharpen their pencils as it allows them to control the shape and length of the core. Pencil sharpeners create a universal shape and you may struggle to get a really fine tip, so a blade may be favoured. Be careful with soft core pencils as sharpening your pencil with a blade could damage the barrel and the core. Always sharpen the pencil by shaving away from your body rather than towards it. |
Sandpaper
A fine grit sand paper can help to shape the point of your pastel pencil - sandpapers can be purchased from most DIY stores or you can buy a sand paper block from some art stores online. If you use a craft knife to sharpen your pastel pencils, you can continue to hone the tip by gently running it over the sandpaper until you have the desired shape/point. The sandpaper will accumulate lost of pastel dust so keep it sealed in a box or tin when not in use. |
5. Accessories
An additional list of products that you may find of use. Which eraser is best for pastels? Two putty rubbers, firm and soft can both play a part in your pastel journey. You need something to apply your outline before you apply any pastel to your paper. This can be done with a few different products which we cover below. A wet cloth and dry hand towel is recommended, the reason why is explained below.
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A putty eraser is a kneadable rubber particularly suited to pastels. The soft variety can be pulled apart and manipulated into any shape allowing you to lift colour from the paper. Remold to hide the pastel and you can continue this way until you have removed all the pastel you need. The firm v cannot be used in the same way as the soft one, but acts purely as a normal eraser does. It can soften colour or remove layers almost entirely. Both ideal for the pastel kit.
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The Outline. Which products should you use to create your outline for a pastel drawing? There are a few choices and it is a case of trial and error dependant on the paper you are using. You could use a HB-2B graphite pencil, or transfer you outline using Tracedown or upon applying a layer of the Ghiant transfer spray. These may prove difficult to erase before laying down your pastel and so you may prefer to use a pastel pencil instead so any future layers blend seamlessly. Trial your choices before starting your drawing.
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Glassine is a smooth and glossy paper that is air, water, and grease resistant. It is also acid-free and has multiple uses for an artist. When working with pastels, having a sheet of this beneath your hand will stop you smudging your pastels. Any pastel portrait being stored or wrapped for delivery should be encapsulated in one of these sheets for protection. It can also protect your portrait between sessions so it does not get damaged. A multi-functional product that can be purchased in individual sheets or as a pack (cost-effective option)
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6. Recommended products
6. Recommended products
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If you work with pastels on a regular basis, you may wish to invest in a HEPA air filter system. Even if you clean up after yourself at the end of each day, dust particles will be in your environment. Open a window and ensure your workspace is well ventilated. Clean away pastel dust and cover your pastels each night.
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An upright easel or an illustration desk like the one in the image, is recommended for pastel artists. Work upright so pastel dust can fall naturally onto a tray or shelf and that you wipe it down on a regular basis. Ensure you have a supportive chair too, especially if you will be at the easel for long periods of time.
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Although pastels are a wonderful medium, they can also be rather messy. When working with pastel blocks particularly the softer brands, it is impossible to stop them getting on your fingers (unless you wear gloves). Wipe dirty hands with a damp face cloth between colour changes and then dry hands with a clean towel.
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Fixatives
Fixative can be a useful product to have in your collection, but it is not a necessity. It is sprayed over your finished work to 'fix' the pastel and minimise pastel drop and accidental smudging, however some pastel artists find the fixative darkens the colours and the wet spray can leave behind uneven specks. It can be more noticeable on dark paper and you may have to redo your work. However, fixative is a useful tool if you have saturated your paper and need to apply more layers. The fixative creates a new tooth which allows you to apply more layers. The images below show the before and after fixative allowing you to see for yourself how fixative can spoil your artwork. This is not provided to put you off, but to suggest that if you do use it, you practice your technique before using it on an important drawing. Spraying too close can cause the issues mentioned and it may be useful to experiment by holding the fixative at varying lengths to find your own 'safe' distance.
DID YOU KNOW?
A pastel can be classified as a drawing when there are sections of the paper left untouched. A pastel portrait may be called a 'painting' when the paper is fully covered. This is subjective and you may prefer to use the name interchangeably. Some may argue that all pastel portraits are drawings. Like anything in art, there are no set rules and you can use whichever term you prefer.
A pastel can be classified as a drawing when there are sections of the paper left untouched. A pastel portrait may be called a 'painting' when the paper is fully covered. This is subjective and you may prefer to use the name interchangeably. Some may argue that all pastel portraits are drawings. Like anything in art, there are no set rules and you can use whichever term you prefer.
Our soft pastel articles
View all our articles covering soft pastels, accessories and tutorials
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Find out more about Unison, one of the most popular soft pastels. Made in the heart of Northumberland in the UK.
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Why not try one of our soft
pastels tutorials
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Looking to become a commission based artist? This article may offer some useful pointers to get you started.
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What are the differences between pastel brands?
Every pastel can be categorised as student or artist quality. Although it is not always evident which classification a brand may fall, the price can provide a good indicator and this is the yardstick used for the suggestions below. It is by no means precise and we have not clarified any of these suggestions with the companies.
So, what are the differences between student and artist quality?
Artist quality pastels are made using high-quality, natural pigments which make them highly lightfast. They contain a small amount of binder that helps to hold the pastel together which makes them more opaque and the colour more intense. Student quality pastels tend to be lower quality pigment mixed with chalk & binder, this means the pigment is more translucent in application and less lightfast. There are also cheap, non-branded pastels, but these offer very little for the pastel novice. They are chalky, dull in colour and less pliable and it is better to avoid these entirely.
So, what are the differences between student and artist quality?
Artist quality pastels are made using high-quality, natural pigments which make them highly lightfast. They contain a small amount of binder that helps to hold the pastel together which makes them more opaque and the colour more intense. Student quality pastels tend to be lower quality pigment mixed with chalk & binder, this means the pigment is more translucent in application and less lightfast. There are also cheap, non-branded pastels, but these offer very little for the pastel novice. They are chalky, dull in colour and less pliable and it is better to avoid these entirely.
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Hard pastels like Prismacolor NuPastels are classified as student grade. They have not been tested for lightfastness and so longevity cannot be guaranteed. Hard pastels by their nature, has more binder to keep them solid and this can mean less pigment. However this is not the case with all hard pastels. The type of pigment contained will influence the price.
Suggested student brands:
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Soft pastels like Unison are certified as artist grade. They are made from the finest traditional pigments and each one is rolled by hand. Due to this, they are expensive but the quality, application, lightfastness and pigmentation is notable making them well worth the cost. Not all soft pastels are made using the same ingredients and low priced brands will be of lesser quality.
Suggested artist brands:
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Buying your first set of Pastels
Buying your first set of pastels should not be overwhelming. You do not need to spend a fortune on a high-quality range when you are learning. If you find the medium is not for you, at least you won't have spent too much money on products that you end up giving away. Visit any art shop in-store or online and you can find pastel sets with price tags between £3.00 - £300.00 (sometimes more!) Buy a starter kit to begin with. We offer some suggestions, but product availability will vary depending where you live.
It is not important to buy the largest set so you own every colour possible. You can extend your palette by mixing colours. If you specialise in a certain subject, you may find you only need a small collection. For instance, if you are a landscape artist you may find a set that offers all the colours you need for this subject. Before spending your money, ensure you can buy individual pastels (open stock) locally or online. You can then buy the colours you need rather than wasting money on a full set with pastels you may never use. When buying pastels, check for the ACMI label (AP or LP). These products have undergone extensive toxicological testing before they are granted the ACMI certification seal. You may need to contact a company direct if you cannot find this information on the packaging, or search the internet.
We recommend the Inscribe brand because we have used these ourselves and think they are great for the novice. They can be found under the brand names Mungyo or Hashi, but they are the same product. Inscribe are economical, available in half or full sticks and full sticks. They are available in sets of 12, 24, 32, 48 and 64, provide a wide variety of colours and the largest set costs around £11.00. Their pigments are not as vibrant as artist brands, but you can create some great pieces of work whilst you practice your techniques. The 48 and 64 piece sets contain a black and a white hard pastel which can be used for sketching or detailing. You can mix them with other brands. A cost-effective way of extending the life of expensive pastels is to apply base layers using the cheap brand.
Papers
Pastel papers vary from texture to weight and there is no perfect paper that is suitable for every artist. Buying a few trial packs is a low-cost way of trying out a selection of papers and see which one(s) suits your own artistic style and preferences the best. New papers are coming on to the market all the time, so you may think you have found the perfect paper, but a new paper can always transcend expectations.
We cover three of the commonly used pastel papers below.
We cover three of the commonly used pastel papers below.
Art Spectrum Colourfix has a notable tooth. Clairfontaine Pastelmat is very fine and the Hahnmehule Velour has a soft, fibrous surface. Each one provides a very different effect to the other and it is worthwhile trying them all and see which one(s) you prefer. There are positives and negatives for each and it all comes down to the subjects you create and your own conclusions. The Pastelmat paper is likely the most utilised by artists but its usefulness does depend on the type of pastels you use and how many layers you like to apply. A heavy-tooth paper like Colourfix will wear down soft pastels more than hard pastels but it will hold more layers. The velour paper also holds many layers but it can suffer from pastel drop and can be challenging for those new to pastels, although we do suggest you try it.
Click any of the links below to visit the websites of pastel artists who work with each corresponding surface. These artists have been selected intentionally as their work is highly detailed, clarifying whichever paper you choose, you can create expressive drawings, deeply intricate paintings and anything in between.
Hints & Tips
Here are a few recommendations when working with soft pastels. As you proceed in your journey, there will be more useful suggestions that you could add to the list. Let us know yours.
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DO: √ For best effect, work dark to light and from background to foreground. √ Minimise pastel drop spoiling your art by working from top to bottom √ Layer by applying one colour over another before blending together. It is not necessary to blend each colour before applying the next unless you are adapting the colour to create a specific look. √ Full sized sticks are best when covering large areas, smaller, half size sticks can be used for creating the fine detail - break a full sized stick in half keeping one side sharp for fine lines and using the other half for base tones. |
DON'T: X Don't saturate your paper too quickly. Coarse papers will hold more layers than fine papers. X Never blow excess dust from your paper. Work upright so the dust falls away naturally or use a soft (clean) brush. X Do not eat or drink whilst working with pastels. Wash hands thoroughly and take your break away from your workstation. X The heavier the paper (a larger gsm number), the coarser the paper. Do not use your fingers to blend pastel on coarse papers, use blending tools. X Keep pets out of the room when working with pastels, especially birds. |
Pastel safety
Pastels are classed as non-toxic or low in toxicity. Pigments like Cadmium and Cobalt are found in many mediums but they are most toxic in 'dust-form', a safety issue which only matters if ingested and this would need to be via extremely large quantities to have an effect on health, so we mention it here purely for awareness. If you work with pastels on a regular basis, we provide you with some good working practices to keep dust to an absolute minimum and safety at the forefront of your working day. When buying pastel products, always look for the ACMI label (AP or LP). These products have undergone extensive toxicological testing before it is granted the ACMI certification seal.
- To minimise the amount of pastel floating around in the air, particularly if you work with pastels full time, cover everything with a sheet of bubble wrap or newspaper. It is best to keep pastels in their boxes or tins allowing you to store them cleanly and safely.
- Don't blow excess pastel dust from your paper. This escapes into the air and may get into your lungs.
- Work on an upright easel so dust falls naturally
- You may choose to wear a mask when working with pastels to minimise inhalation. Especially recommended for those with asthma or other health issues.
- HEPA filters help to keep the air clean and removes dust in the atmosphere. This can be beneficial in reducing any allergies you may suffer from too.
- Keep pets out of the room when working with pastels, especially birds.
Pastel brand articles
Click on any of the images below to find out more about each product in our online articles.
SOFT PASTELS TUTORIALS
Try one of our step by step tutorials for pastel artists
We have a selection of tutorials for pastel artists. If you are new to pastels, the 'pastel skies' tutorial shows you how to blend pastels and achieve smooth, transition-free backgrounds. If you are looking for something a little more challenging, try the autumn leaf tutorial. This covers blending on Pastelmat paper and shows you how to build up the finer detail. The next step in your journey is the 'Violet flower' which is a little more challenging, the ultimate challenge is the Swallow tutorial. This one is broken down into two sections which shows you how to create the bird applying loose applications before adding the finer detail using pastel pencils. All are provided with step by step guidance and include a colour chart so you can work with your own pastel brand.
