Onе of thе most popular mеdiums among thе artist community arе soft pastеls. You’vе probably seen them in art stores and maybe even watched a few vidеos about thеm. Not to be confused with Oil Pastels, they’re those chalky, vibrant sticks that on thе right hands can crеatе mеsmеrizing works of art.
But what makеs thеm so good? Wеll, for startеrs, thеy offеr artists a unique blend of precision and spontaneity. You can makе a hypеr-rеalistic, very detailed portrait or quickly capture the sunset at thе sеа with a few strokes.
Their powdery texture allows for еasy blending, making transitions and gradiеnts a brееzе and allowing you to usе a myriad of tools with thеm or simply usе your hands, howеvеr it’s not just about thе tеchniquе; it’s also about thе fееl.
Using soft pastеls is tactilе and dirеct. Thеrе’s no brush or tool bеtwееn you and thе papеr, just your fingеrs mixing thе colors.
Diving into thе world of soft pastеls can bе a bit daunting though. With lots of brands, shadеs, and gradеs to choosе from, where does one even begin?
Wеll, that’s why wе’vе put togеthеr this articlе. To guide you through everything related to soft pastels, from sеlеcting thе right brand to mastеring thе art of blending.
So, wеаthеr you’ve been working with pastels for years or arе just curious about starting, join us on this colorful journеy.
What are Soft Pastels?
Soft pastels are a type of art medium made from pure pigment with minimal binder, which give them their soft and powdery characteristic texture. Not to be confused with oil pastels (oil-based pastel sticks), soft pastels are more on the chalky, dry side .
This composition allows for multiple layering, soft finishes, and vibrant color application, making them a favorite for many artists.
Unlike paints, there’s no drying time involved. Whether you sketch, smudge, or layer, the result is immediate. They’re highly versatile and come in different forms, that’s why they’re used for quick sketches to detailed, realistic portraits.
And while they might seem delicate, with the right techniques and care, soft pastel artworks can last for generations.
Tips for Beginners:
Starting with soft pastels can be both exciting and a tad overwhelming, in contrast with other media, mixing colors can turn into a new experience since you’re working with dry media and the application might be tricky if you’re using the wrong surface. Here are a few tips that will help you start your pastel journey with ease:
- Right Paper Matters: Soft pastels work best on textured paper. The graininess grips the pigment better, allowing for richer application. Consider getting pastel-specific paper or even sandpaper for a start.
- Work from Light to Dark: Begin with lighter colors and gradually work your way to darker shades. With most pastels it’s easier to layer dark over light than the other way around.
- Blend with Caution: While blending is one of the joys of using soft pastels, overdoing it can muddy the colors. Use your fingers, blending stumps, or even a piece of cloth.
- Protect Your Work: Soft pastel artworks can smudge easily. Consider using a fixative spray with UV protection to set your work once it’s done.
How to Choose the Best Soft Pastels
Pigment Quality:
Pigment is the principal component of pastels, besides a little bit of binder, soft pastels are practically pigment sticks. This makes the colors rich and vibrant and the application extremely easy. The quality of the pigments in any medium is extremely important, however is often overlooked by beginners.
It can be easy to forget how durable a set of pastels are when the colors are bright and the application is easy. Nonetheless, low quality pigment tends to lose vibrancy over time or even change color, making your art pieces short-lived and likely to fade.
In order to avoid this, look for terms like “lightfastness” on the packaging, or check the lightfastness rating that is usually in stars (1 to 5 stars, where 1 star is the lowest and 5 the highest) or gradings (from I to IV where IV is the lowest and I is the highest). It indicates how resistant the color is to fading.
Texture and Consistency:
Pastels texture and consistency changes from brand to brand. You can find soft pastels that are on the “firmer” side, soft pastels that crumble in your hands with little pressure, silky and creamy soft pastels and chalky and powdery soft pastels.
It pretty much depends on the manufacturer and on the making process and can only be determined when applying them to paper, however there are some telling signs that you must consider before buying:
Despite being labeled as Soft Pastels, “Square-looking” pastels are firmer, great for underlayers and sharp lines or details. They offer more control but are more restrictive as well. On the other hand,“Cylindrical” shaped pastels are much softer, great for covering large areas, blending and finishing details (light on dark) but are prone to break.
Another telling sign of how soft a pastel really is tends to be the “hand-made” label. Handmade pastels are on the shorter side (half stick) but are much softer and creamier than fabric-made pastels, however they’re also more expensive too.
Consider starting with a medium-textured pastel. It offers a balance between softness and control, making it versatile for various techniques.
Presentation:
The range of colors available within a particular set or brand is another important consideration.
A broader variety allows for more flexibility in creating artworks without the need to mix colors constantly, besides that, some sets are specifically made for portraits or landscape, including vivid colors or muted tones.
Besides that, the pastels on the sets tend to be whole or half sticks. A set with half sticks offers more variety while whole sticks sets offer less variety but lasts longer and are easier to hold.
If you’re a beginner, a set with a wide color range can be beneficial. As you advance, you might prefer to select individual shades based on your needs.
Color Range:
Choosing a brand with a wide color range is very important. Some brands offer 24 or 48 pieces and that is the whole range. However, as you delve deeper into your artistic journey, you might find yourself needing more shades and colors to truly capture the essence of your subjects. Brands with an extensive palette can provide that flexibility, allowing your creativity to flourish without limitations.
Besides that, brands with wide color ranges tend to offer individual sticks or bigger presentations, which is great for those colors we use recurrently and to build small sets for classes or workshops.
Price:
When we talk about price, we don’t simply talk about the cost, but about the overall value the pastels offer concerning their quality, longevity, and performance. While high-quality pastels might come with a higher price tag, they often provide better color payoff, last longer, and can be more cost-effective in the long run.
If you’re only beginning your pastel journey, don’t try to go for the most expensive professional brands, instead go for a mid-price range one. Reviews and recommendations can be invaluable. See what other artists are saying about a particular brand or set before making a decision.
Best Soft Pastels in the Market Today
- Best Overall Soft Pastels Set — Sennelier Soft Pastel Set
- Best Value Soft Pastels Set — Rembrandt Soft Pastels
- Best Professional Soft Pastels Set — Schmincke Soft Pastels
- Best Backup Soft Pastels Set — Mungyo Artists’ Handmade Soft Pastels
- Best Budget Soft Pastel Set — Faber Castell 128324 Soft Pastels
1. Best Overall Soft Pastels Set — Sennelier Soft Pastel Set
Selection Criteria
- Pigment Quality:very lightfast set, excellent quality.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Consistency: Extra soft.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Color Range: 525 colors.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Presentation: 80 Half sticks.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Replacements: No.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $99.30
- Our Score – 10/10
About the Sennelier Soft Pastel Set
With a reasonable price, excellent reputation and great quality, Sennelier is our first choice when thinking about soft pastels. As a well established brand in the art world, Sennelier is known for making some of the best art supplies, using high quality, lightfast pigments and their soft pastels line is no exception. These pastels are hand made, come in a range wide enough for both portrait painting and landscaping, they’re easy to use and highly pigmented, allowing you to work light on dark and apply multiple layers.
Overall, Sennelier’s soft pastels are a true testament to the brand’s dedication to excellence, Unlike some other brands that may crumble or break easily, these pastels are sturdy while maintaining their softness, ensuring that artists can work with them for extended periods of time.
Pros
- High-quality pigments
- Extensive color range
- Excellent lightfastness
Cons
- On the expensive side
- Half pans don’t last as long
2. Best Value Soft Pastels Set — Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Selection Criteria
- Pigment Quality: Lightfast set, high quality
- Our Score – 9/10
- Consistency: Soft pastel.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Color Range: 218 colors
- Our Score- 8/10
- Presentation: 60 half sticks.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Replacements: No.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $69.43
- Our Score – 10/10
About the Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Although not hand made, Rembrandt soft pastels are the perfect alternative for those just starting in the soft pastels world that want quality but that are also on a somewhat limited budget. Their consistency is right in the middle of softness and creaminess, though they’re a bit powdery, they are also easy to work with and blend.
One of the standout features of Rembrandt soft pastels is their color vibrancy, and even at a more affordable price point, these pastels do not compromise on pigment quality. The colors are bright, true to the eye, and have a decent lightfastness rating, ensuring that artworks retain their vibrancy over time.
Pros
- Very affordable
- High-quality pigments
Cons
- Slightly powdery
- Not hand-made
3. Best Professional Soft Pastels Set — Schmincke Soft Pastels
Selection Criteria
- Pigment Quality: Very lightfast set, excellent quality.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Consistency: Extra soft.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Color Range: 400 colors.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Presentation: Half stick.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Replacements: Yes.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $320.00
- Our Score – 10/10
About the Schmincke Soft Pastels
If you want the best of the best and budget is not an issue for you, then the Schminke soft pastels collection is the best option for you, often regarded as the pinnacle of pastel craftsmanship, Schmincke soft pastels have an incredibly smooth texture, making them perfect for covering wide areas and extremely easy to blend. This softness, however, doesn’t compromise their structural integrity; they are robust and less prone to breakage compared to other brands.
When it comes to color vibrancy and range, Schmincke is second to none. Their collection has an extensive palette of shades, each pastel is crafted with the highest grade of pigments, ensuring that the colors are not only bright but also long-lasting.
Pros
- Extensive color range
- Excellent quality
- Replacements available
Cons
- Very expensive
4. Best Backup Soft Pastels Set — Mungyo Artists’ Handmade Soft Pastels
Selection Criteria
- Pigment Quality: Lightfast set, high quality, artist quality.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Consistency: Hand-rolled pastels, almost buttery consistency.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Color Range: 200 colors.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Presentation: Half stick.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Replacements: No.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $209.00
- Our Score – 10/10
About the Mungyo Artists’ Handmade Soft Pastels
Mungyo Gallery has become a popular choice among artists, although their overall quality is great, it’s certainly not the best, however for their affordable price point, they are the perfect choice for art students and hobbyists.
Their handmade collection, however it’s on a whole other level. Comparable to popular brands like Schminke and Sennelier their handmade collection offers high quality pigments and excellent lightfastness packed on a beautiful wooden box. The price tag is on the higher side, however it’s much more affordable than other brands and offers similar quality and durability.
Pros
- Great packaging
- High quality pigments
- Hand-made
Cons
- On the expensive side
5. Best Budget Soft Pastels Set — Faber Castell 128324 Soft Pastels
Selection Criteria
- Pigment Quality: Lightfast set, high quality.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Consistency: Soft pastel.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Color Range: 72 colors.
- Our Score- 8/10
- Presentation: Half stick.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Replacements: No.
- Our Score – 9/10
- Price: $24.95
- Our Score – 10/10
About the Faber Castell Soft Pastels
Now, for an affordable alternative we have Faber Castell’s soft pastels line. These soft pastels are not as creamy and buttery as the other alternatives, but are on the firmer side. What set these pastels apart and got them on our list is that they’re not powdery at all. The application is smooth and easy and they blend amazingly well.
The pigments are also very good in regard to quality, intensity and lightfastness, however their color range is limited to 70 and they’re not hand made. Still an amazing option for those on a tight budget or to start working with soft pastels.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Good quality
- Lightfast pigments
Cons
- On the firmer side
- Not handmade
Conclusions
Finding the right pastel set might require you to try different brands in order to find the one that suits your technique better, while some might prefer the creamy texture from expensive high-end brands, some might want to go for firmer alternatives that offer more control and work better on different surfaces. The level of expertise with the medium is also important, and it’s always preferable to go for a budget-friendly option if you’re just starting to experiment with pastels, however if you want to try the professional options listed on this article, you can always go for the smaller set to try the quality and consistency offered by the brand.
In the end, you’ll most likely end up with more than one brand, which will serve you for different stages of your paintings and broaden your color palette and the color range of your work.
