Pastels

The Ultimate Guide to Pastels: Best Sets, Paper, Tools and Deals for Vibrant Artwork

Why Pastels Still Capture Artists’ Hearts

Pastels are like crayons for grown-up color lovers — bold, immediate, and tactile. Whether you’re sketching quick portraits or building layered landscapes, pastels let you lay down pigment with the immediacy of a brushstroke and the texture of drawing media. They’re forgiving, portable, and surprisingly versatile, which is why both beginners and pros keep a few sticks in their kit. Ready to dive in? You’ll find pastels let you work fast, blend beautifully, and achieve color depth that’s hard to match with other dry media.

Types of Pastels: Soft, Hard, and Oil

Soft Pastels

Soft pastels are the workhorse most people picture: rich, powdery sticks that glide onto paper and blend like a dream. They’re perfect for painterly effects and lush color transitions. A typical soft pastel stick is often about 2 to 3 inches long and may be fragile, so handle with care. Expect vibrant pigments and a bit of dust — that’s part of the charm but also why a light protective spray is often used on finished pieces.

Hard Pastels and Pastel Pencils

Hard pastels are firmer, less dusty, and ideal for fine lines, detailed work, and underdrawing. Pastel pencils offer the control of a pencil with pastel pigment inside a wood casing, great for edges, hair strands, and small highlights. Many artists use a combination: soft pastels for broad color and pastel pencils for finishing touches. You’ll see pastel pencil sets advertised in small ranges like 12 to 24 pencils — compact and easy to handle on the go.

Oil Pastels

Oil pastels are a different beast. Creamy and waxy, they don’t dust the way chalk pastels do and can be layered or scraped for texture. They behave more like paint and can be mixed with solvents for a painterly look. Because they’re oil-based, they won’t smudge into a dust cloud but will remain workable on the surface unless sealed. Try oil pastels if you want bright, buttery strokes without a lot of airborne pigment.

Choosing the Right Pastel Set

Picking the right pastel set depends on what you want to do. Are you sketching on the couch or planning large studio pieces? Beginner sets with 12 to 24 colors are great for learning color mixing and layering, while 48 to 80-piece sets give you the range to create subtle color shifts and complex scenes. Student sets are affordable but often use fillers that reduce pigment intensity, while professional sets offer stronger pigments and better lightfastness. A well-balanced starter kit might weigh under 1 lb for travel convenience, but pro sets can be heavier depending on packaging.

What to Look for in a 12 to 80-piece Set

When comparing sets, check the color range — do you have warm and cool versions of key colors? Look for single pigment colors when possible, because they blend more predictably. Also read about lightfast ratings: higher lightfastness means your art won’t fade quickly. If you’re shopping for deals, a comparison site can help you spot sales on mid-size sets that balance cost and quality.

Best Pastel Papers and Surfaces

Paper choice dramatically affects how pastels behave. Smooth paper lets you layer fine details, while textured or “toothy” paper holds pigment better for multiple layers. Sanded papers are a modern favorite; they have a grit surface that grips pastel particles and allows for heavy layering without flattening. Expect popular sheet sizes like 9 x 12 inches, 11 x 14 inches, and 18 x 24 inches — pick a surface size that matches your working scale.

Recommended Paper Sizes and Types

For studies and practice, 9 x 12 inch or 11 x 14 inch pads are ideal and easy to store. If you plan gallery-sized work, 18 x 24 inch sheets give you room for detail and big gestures. Sanded paper brands often come in single sheets or pads and can be more expensive, but the texture is worth it for layered work. Don’t forget pastel board and velour paper as alternatives — boards deliver a firm support while velour gives a soft finish that’s forgiving and luminous.

Essential Tools and Accessories

Beyond sticks, a few accessories make pastel work neater and more enjoyable. Blending stumps and tortillons help refine edges, while soft brushes push pigment into the tooth of the paper. Kneaded erasers are invaluable for lifting highlights without damaging the surface. Invest in a sturdy box or tray to keep sticks from rubbing each other; many artists use foam-lined trays to reduce breakage when storing or traveling.

Fixatives and Sprays

Fixative is controversial but useful. A workable fixative — typically sold in spray cans around 6 to 11 ounces — lets you stabilize a layer, work on top, and reduce smudging. A final fixative protects finished work before framing. Use fixative sparingly and spray in light passes from about 12 to 18 inches away; you don’t want to saturate the surface. Always test on a scrap before applying to a finished piece.

Blending Tools and Erasers

Blending with fingers is classic, but stumps and soft cloths give more control. Paper towels or chamois cloths are great for broad, soft blends. For precise removal of pigment, kneaded erasers and precision erasers (like vinyl or pen-style erasers) let you lift highlights without smearing. For texture work, a palette knife or torn paper edge can be used to scratch and reveal underlayers.

Storage, Transport, and Maintenance

Pastels can be fragile and dusty, so storing them properly extends their life. Use divided boxes or trays where each stick has its own slot; foam-lined trays help absorb shock. For travel, a compact tin or roll-up wrap prevents sticks from rubbing together and breaking. Keep sets in a dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme heat; a cool drawer or a dedicated art cupboard works well. If a stick breaks, you can press pieces back together with a tiny amount of archival glue or use the fragments for texture work.

Techniques to Get Vibrant Results

Pastels are all about layering and blending. Start with an underpainting or light wash if you like — a thin acrylic or watercolor layer can establish values and reduce the paper’s whiteness. Build midtones with broader strokes, then reserve softer sticks or pastel pencils for fine details and highlights. Use scumbling (light, broken strokes) for texture and layering to achieve luminous transitions. The powdery nature of soft pastels makes glazing-like effects possible without solvents.

Step-by-Step Mini Lesson for Beginners

Try a simple landscape: sketch basic shapes with a hard pastel or pencil, block in large color areas with soft pastels, blend broadly with a chamois or finger, then refine edges and details with pastel pencils. Finish by lifting small highlights with a kneaded eraser and lock the piece lightly with a workable fixative if you plan to add more layers. This process takes advantage of both fat color and crisp detail.

Buying Pastels on a Budget: Tips to Find the Best Deals

Want quality without blowing the budget? Start with a good set of 24 to 48 soft pastels and add specialty colors as you learn what you use most. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales and bundle deals — sometimes packaged sets include paper or fixative and save money. Comparison sites can help you track prices across retailers so you spot real discounts rather than marketing hype. If you’re after long-term value, invest more in a few highly pigmented sticks rather than dozens of low-pigment ones.

Student Sets vs Professional Sets: What to Expect

Student sets are kinder to wallets and great for practice, but they often include more filler and less lightfast pigment. Professional sets cost more but offer richer color, less fading, and better layering. If you plan to sell or exhibit your work, professional quality can be worth the extra investment. For hobbyists, a smart mix — a stable of pro-quality hues for focal areas and student colors for background work — gives the best of both worlds.

Top Brands and Products Worth Considering

Some brand names keep popping up among pastel lovers. Sennelier is known for rich, buttery soft pastels; Rembrandt and Schmincke produce reliable professional ranges; Faber-Castell offers excellent pastel pencils; Unison specializes in handcrafted pastels with earthy tones; Caran d’Ache and Holbein make strong oil pastel lines. Try sample sets from a few brands to see which feel right in your hand — pigment handling is subjective, and a brand you love might be different from what a friend prefers.

Caring for Finished Pastel Artwork

Because pastel particles sit on the surface, finished pieces need protection. Use a mat to keep glass from touching the pigment and choose UV-filtering glass for longer life. Many artists mount pastel work under glass with a couple of inches of mat to avoid smudging and to present the colors cleanly. Labeling and storing framed pieces upright and away from damp basements or direct sun helps preserve colors for years.

Where to Buy and How to Compare Offers

Pastels and paper are available at art supply shops, online marketplaces, and specialty retailers. If you want the best price, use a comparison site to check current offers, bundles, and shipping options. Comparison sites aggregate listings so you can compare brand models, set sizes, and prices side by side. They’re especially handy when a limited-time bundle includes paper pads or fixative, giving you a fuller kit for less.

Final Thoughts Before You Start

Pastels are an invitation to play with color and texture. They reward experimentation, and the tactile process makes them addictive. Start small, build a few reliable supplies, and practice core techniques like layering and controlled blending. Over time you’ll learn which brands, sticks, and surfaces match your style, and you’ll be able to spot the deals that bring professional-level quality within reach.

Conclusion: Pastels offer an immediate route to expressive color and texture, whether you’re just starting or refining a mature practice. Choose the right type for your goals, invest in good paper, gather a few key tools, and use comparison resources to find smart deals. With a bit of practice and the right materials, your pastel work will bloom with luminance and life.