Author Topic: Whats a good beginner pastel brand? (Read 1872 times)

Zach · **on:** December 13, 2012, 08:57:11 PM

Im interested in pastels, but there are so many brands; I don't know which brand I should start with. I would like to bgin with soft pastels. Any suggestions?

thebryce · **Reply #1 on:** December 13, 2012, 10:18:05 PM

Oil or chalk or hard or soft?

ImBatman · **Reply #2 on:** December 13, 2012, 10:24:48 PM

planesphere

This question is a bit like "which brand of cereal should I choose?"

It really is a needs & preferences thing. A site that provides some straightforward (ie pretty readable) info is "art is fun!" and it has a nice section about Pastels. It covers all sorts of pastels mentioned by Bryce.

Just be careful with what you go with. The pastels most people refer to in the generic way are "Hard or Soft". They are basically pigment with just enough binder material to hold them in a stick form. The Chalk and Oil ones binders changes the properties of the pigments and their handling markedly.

Using the info there, I ended up going with the Rembrandt soft pastels. I got my set at a pretty nice price from Cheap Joes online.

A recommendation I have seen many times is to get the largest range of colours you can afford. More colours - less blending - makes it easier for the beginner. Supposedly.

Batman.

Lillian · **Reply #3 on:** December 13, 2012, 10:25:32 PM

I'm not very experienced in pastel, but I used Faber Castell soft pastels on canvas recently and I love them. The colors are lovely, great pigments, applied easily. Sorry, I can't compare brands.

patindaytona · **Reply #4 on:** December 18, 2012, 05:07:57 PM

Planes...i just bought my first set also. I bought the Rembrants too. I got them at Michael's in town. I get a 50% coupon online. They are always available online.
I tried my first one and it was a struggle. But turned out well. Yes, those rembrants seem to be the best deal around..middle range..not too hard or soft.
Let me know how you do with them. I will also. I agree...even with that set, i don't have enough as i would like to choose from. They aren't cheap! Tell me what paper you use etc. Will do the same. I tried some Canson. It was more like a matt board though because i was worried that the regular Canson would be too flimsy. I wouldn't get the board again..I'm pretty sure the texture on it was pebbly and like dots showing where the pastels didn't cover well. I'd go for the Canson again, but the paper instead. Also read to use the other side, and not the side with the watermark. The other side is supposed to be better (smoother)

Tousabella · **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2014, 04:17:44 AM

I just finished the Stream painting with pastels, and Maryna asked about Mungyo soft pastels. I have them and have done two paintings, plus foolin around, and I got so little dust off of the picture. I have no fixative at the moment, either. I only had chalk on my thumb, index and middle finger! They are soft, but don't seem to dust up much. I am on oxygen, so I tried a light mask, just in case, and I took it off halfway thru the picture. Didn't bother me at all. (Yes, Mother....I will use it "just cuz".)
I recommend them and they are very cheap. I got a set of 64 for $14.64, Canadian, AND.....it was free shipping!!
One other of our class has COPD and was saying she couldn't take the course because of it.....Hey...No Problem. Just go slow n take your time.

May lynn · **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2014, 06:18:48 AM

Dear the Bryce;

The first two weeks of December Dennis was using soft pastels. He was very specific, the 2014 classes will emphasize the use of SOFT Pastel. Classes will focus on using soft pastels as opposed to using oil.

He demonstrated a very reasonably priced Mungyo soft brand in the last class of 2013, 'daylily' #85 you may want to take a look at that thread.

Rembrandt is also very popular, but, make sure you buy a big enough set 30 or so, or you may find as I have that a small set of 15 did not have enough tonal range.

There are so many excellent brands out there and many good websites describing each soft pastels.

Don't go overboard just watch the free classes and decide what works for you. But remember it's SOFT PASTELS that Dennis will be working with for the moment.

May lynn

ImBatman · **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2014, 08:31:11 AM

When I started my art stuff a couple of years ago I found this really good site that told me a lot. This is the page about pastels:

art is fun!

The site is worth a poke around in general too.

Batman.

Val · **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:49:17 AM

Great site

Thanks.

Happychappy · **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2014, 11:58:15 AM

Batman, the 'Art is Fun' site was quite informative, thanks for posting. Patricia

May lynn · **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2014, 02:51:32 AM

Did anyone notice "Woody" at the bottom of Art is Fun page?

He sure does get around!!!

May lynn

jillh · **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2014, 03:48:24 AM

Thanks for sharing Batman. Some interesting info.

thebryce · **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2014, 07:32:36 AM

I must say I feel educated now that I have seen the 1st lesson. Wow! The framed example was exquisite. Perhaps we should have started with pastels instead of watercolor? The concept of tonal range would be easier to pick up if I did not have to fight with the medium. Right now I have an amazing arsenal of unused brushes paints and goodies. Very little is of the soft pastel variety.

dennis · **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2014, 07:40:37 PM

Thebryce, Watercolours and Pastels are brother and sister

thebryce · **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2014, 03:41:04 AM

I will be posting more lessons soon. My skills have improved but I still have a long way to go. I will probably start from the beginning and surprise myself. You have been an inspiration, for sure.