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Choosing your pastels
Thanks to its infinite creative potential and its various forms many artists have been attracted to pastels, notably Impressionists such as Degas. There are several types of pastel which differ in their composition, shape and texture.
Discover all our tips on how to choose your pastels according to your needs, preferences and your favourite drawing techniques.
Discover all our tips on how to choose your pastels according to your needs, preferences and your favourite drawing techniques.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF PASTELS
Pastel can refer both to a fine art technique, an adjective to describe certain colours, but also the result and tool used for this technique. While the term pastel can often make one think of soft colors, the colors provided by this technique are appreciated for their intensity. Used in painting and drawing, pastels are mostly made up of
Used in painting and drawing, pastels are mostly made up of
Used in painting and drawing, pastels are mostly made up of
- • Color pigments
- • A binding agent (gum, wax or oil)
- • A filler, such as kaolin clay or chalk
There are three main types of pastels: soft, hard and oil.
SOFT OR CHALK PASTELS (SOFT, HARD AND PASTEL PENCILS)
Soft pastels
Soft, chalky pastels come in broad sticks. This type of pastel is made up of colour pigments, chalk and a small amount of binding agent which gives it a very chalky and therefore quite fragile texture.
Soft pastels are renowned for the richness and intensity of their colors. With their chalky texture they’re especially good for large areas of color and gradients.
Soft pastels are renowned for the richness and intensity of their colors. With their chalky texture they’re especially good for large areas of color and gradients.
Hard chalk pastels
These harder pastels come in thin angular sticks. As the name suggests, hard pastels are stronger and less crumbly as they contain a higher amount of binding agent.
Hard chalk pastels are best for details and tracing fine lines. Their firmness allows for drawings with long precise lines.
Because of their solidity, sharpen your hard pastels on sandpaper or use a utility knife (not a pencil sharpener or a pencil sharpening machine).
Pastel pencils
In appearance, the pastel pencil is in pencil form like a traditional color pencil, with a soft lead encased in wood, the “lead” here being pastel. Pastel pencils must be sharpened carefully (pencil sharpeners are not recommended here either and it is better to use a utility knife or sandpaper) to obtain precise lines and details. Storing them in a foam lining makes them less messy, easier to handle and also protects them when you’re on the go.
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Available in four color themes and in a box set, Pastel Pencils are most appropriate to meet the demands of the most experienced or professional pastel artists. The intensity of their highly concentrated pigments make them easy to blend and the rich colors of the pigments are perfect for layering and fading effects.
OIL PASTELS AND WAX PASTELS
Oil pastels
Oil pastels
It’s in Japan that the oil pastel was first created in 1924. The two teachers at the origin of the initiative were looking for a economical medium their students could draw with.
Oil pastels come as small sticks and have a smooth and oily texture which is pleasant to put on paper and work with. Because of these qualities, pastel artists use them as much for filling in large colour blocks as for fine lines.
Just as with oil paint, it is possible to play with the intensity of the pastel colours by using white spirit or turpentine. By applying these with a paintbrush, you can dilute the material and work it like paint. This method makes it easier to mix colors and explore oil pastels’ creative potential.
The Neopastel® oil pastels come in 96 colours and are perfectly suited for all pastel artists. The available shades will provide light, depth and intensity to all your landscapes, still lives, portraits and floral designs. Their soft and velvety texture make these oil pastels that can be easily blended with the fingertips.
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Wax pastels
Wax crayons or pastels were created in 1904 in the United States by Binney & Smith.
The Neocolor ® I wax crayons were created in 1952 and have a smooth, creamy texture that slides easily on your drawing medium. Thanks to the wax pastels’ vivid colours, it is possible to draw luminous drawings on a wide range of materials (paper, cardboard, wood, glass, fabric etc).
When to use wax pastels
As they are made of wax, Neocolor® I pastels are water repellant.
For lovers of water color, we have created the Neocolor® II Aquarelle pastels. Available in sets of different colors, these watercolor wax pastels have a soft and velvety texture. They do not have a chalky effect and provide a high-quality and intense cover. They are also appreciated as the colors are light resistant and do not fade.
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OIL PASTELS OR SOFT PASTELS?
Neopastel®
- • Type of pastel : Oil
- • Characteristics : Pleasant texture to work with; can be diluted with white spirit or turpentine
- • Uses: Like paint, can also be used for drawing and sketching and well- associated with oil paint
Neocolor® I Neocolor® II
- • Type of pastel : Wax (crayon)
- • Characteristics : Homogenous texture from one color to another; intense colors. Excellent opacity and light resistant. Can be applied to many mediums.
- • Uses : For drawing and sketching. Suitable for adults and children alike
Pastel Pencils
- • Type of pastel : Pastel pencils
- • Characteristics : Practical shape, not messy, works like a soft pastel
- • Uses : Best used in sketches, tracing and details, or to add hints of light
Once you’ve chosen your type of pastel and determined the the desired results (painting, drawing, sketching, watercolor) be sure to select the right tools to work with (paintbrush, blending stump, cloth, brush).
PASTELS FOR YOUNG OR BUDDING ARTISTS
Choose pastels that are age-appropriate. For the youngest artists, prefer pastels that are easy to use, sturdy and not so messy, such as wax crayons.
Reserve other types of pastel (chalk, soft, hard, oil) for slightly older budding artists or teenagers. Enrolling your child in a initiation course will help them to learn more about the different pastels and choose the best one for them.
Reserve other types of pastel (chalk, soft, hard, oil) for slightly older budding artists or teenagers. Enrolling your child in a initiation course will help them to learn more about the different pastels and choose the best one for them.
CHOOSING YOUR PASTELS
When choosing pastels you should take into account:
- • The surfaces (canvas, paper, objects)
- • The appearance (oily for a paint effect and dry for a sketch effect)
- • The various techniques you wish to try out
- • Your budget
How to buy pastels ?
Buying a box set or a full set of pastels can be an economical and practical choice, especially when you start out and need a palette of basic colours.
A box of pastels is an excellent starting point for beginners. Over time you can complete it with a themed set when you need new specific color nuances for your work. A final benefit is that a box is easy to carry around and will reduce the risk of your pastels and crayons getting damaged.
A box of pastels is an excellent starting point for beginners. Over time you can complete it with a themed set when you need new specific color nuances for your work. A final benefit is that a box is easy to carry around and will reduce the risk of your pastels and crayons getting damaged.
Selecting the right paper for your pastel works
Here are some types of paper to consider:
- • The great classic Pastel Card has an abrasive, fine tooth surface that is mainly used for soft pastel and pastel pencils
- • Thick, grained paper is often used by pastel users as it has a good degree of tooth.
- • Ingres paper is textured paper with fine ridges that is perfect for soft pastels as it binds the pigments and pastel dust to the surface.
- • Watercolor paper for Neocolor® II Aquarelle.
- • Velour paper which can be used with soft chalk or oil pastels. For experienced artists.
You should also take care when choosing the color of your paper as it can make the final result look warmer or colder.
DETERMINE THE QUALITY OF YOUR PASTELS
The quality of the pastel is crucial : not only will it affect the result of your work, but also your comfort when using it.
- • Be sure to check the composition of certain pastels (pigment concentration, quality of the binding agent, etc).For oil pastels check the oil to wax ratio and choose according to desired opacity. If there is a high wax content, the colours can look transparent or even faded and will not allow layering.
- • To find the best pastels you can always ask advice from a specialist or your art teacher if you are following lessons on pastels
At Caran d’Ache, the color pigment to wax ratio is excellent, which makes building up layers easy.
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