Pastels
Pastel chalk deposits pigment almost immediately on the paper and varies from soft, powdery markers to firmer hard pastels and oily variants.
Soft pastel, hard pastel or oil pastel
Soft pastels quickly produce saturated areas and blend easily; hard pastels and pastel pencils support underdrawing and detail. Oil pastel binds differently and requires different mixing and finishing methods. Compare pigment, hardness and available loose colors if you want to add to a set later.
Surface and dust control
Use paper with sufficient tooth and build up layers without completely filling the surface at once. When working with dry pastel, work as dust-free as possible: do not blow away pigment and do not eat or drink while working. Fixative can change color and structure; test it on a test area and only use it with good ventilation.
Also explore Paper · Charcoal & Graphite · Cases & Storage for compatible materials and the next step in your project.
