Pastel pencils: types, description, features of drawing technology

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

We all know how gentle, harmonious in color are drawings made with pastel. However, not even every artist is aware that under this name there are several possibilities for drawing. These are soft, dry, oil pastels, pencils. Let's take a closer look at them, present important characteristics.

What is this?

Pastel (pencils will be one of the varieties here) is the result of mixing chalk, pigment and binding mass to a paste state. In the future, it is formed into sticks and sent to dry. As a result, we have an almost pure pigment. Therefore, pastels can create a subtle yet rich color effect that other artistic paints cannot offer.

Each of the varieties (dry pastels, pencils) gives some specific effect to the drawing. For example, oil or soft is ideal for painting. And solid models are good for detailed images, quick sketches.

Material quality and safety

Pastel (pencils and other varieties) is primarily divided into twoquality groups:

• Artistic. It contains high-quality pigments and is characterized by a fine ratio of binder and coloring composition. The colors here are bright and intense, have good durability and practically do not fade over time.
• Student. Great value for a beginner artist. Pigments are cheaper here, and there is more binding material. From here, the colors in the picture will not be so pronounced, and the material itself breaks easily. Cheap pigment is easy to recognize by the postscript "shade" after the name.

When it comes to pastels, the colors don't mix as well as they do with watercolors, for example. Therefore, artists have in their arsenal a large selection of pastel colors. It is better for beginner painters and portrait painters to start building their collection with individual shades than to immediately buy an expensive set. Gradually, you will assemble your own complex of the colors you need most.

Both art and student pastels (pencils, soft, hard varieties) are now produced non-toxic. However, when drawing in the air, a cloud of pigment dust will still fly. Therefore, artists prefer to paint outdoors. Enclosed premises are well ventilated or use humidifiers, respirator masks.

Pastel types

Pastel (colored pencils here will be one of the varieties) is divided into four main types:

• Soft pastel. This is the traditional and most widely used form. Differs in surprising saturation of shades. But it easily crumbles to a powder state. Presented in the widest range of colors - in the collections of some artists up to 500 shades. Ideal for blending, blending, layering, painterly effects. Produced in the form of cylindrical sticks. There is an option in jars - the pigment is applied with a special sponge.
• Dry pastel. It differs from the previous one by a high content of the binding composition. The color will be less intense, but the stick itself will break and crumble much less. Suitable for sketches, strokes, contours (the stick can be finely sharpened). Looks great in combination with soft pastels.
• Oil pastel. What is here? These pastels are oil pencils where the pigment is bonded with oil and wax. Sticks do not crumble, do not break and do not collect dust. However, the pigment content in them is high: they give the same saturated colors as soft pastels. They are also stable - do not require fixing, well suited for outdoor work.
• Pastel pencils. The most comfortable form. Outwardly, this is an ordinary pencil, but instead of graphite - a hard-soft pastel of medium hardness. They are versatile - pencils can be used with all other types except oil pastels. It is possible to sharpen for fine lines, as well as draw blurry strokes. Great for preliminary sketches. Convenience is that the pencils are absolutely not easily soiled. They are comfortable to create quick drawings, enjoying the pastel color. Artists love to draw with such pencils in the open air. Variation canreach 80 pigments in the collection.

We also invite you to consider pastel pencils for several other varieties - manufacturers.

VAN GOGH

This is a Dutch company that offers highly professional pastel pencils. Their main characteristics:

• Lightfast.
• Glides well on paper, doesn't scratch it.
• High quality pigments for excellent color reproduction.
• Convenient to use for drawing small details.
• Soft lead that leaves a velvety color trail.

DESIGN

This is a pastel pencil company based in the Netherlands. Here's how the artists describe her products:

• Soft lead, easy application of pigment to the paper that does not scratch its surface.
• Shades blend beautifully. Pigments can be shaded.
• High quality wooden body makes it easy to sharpen the pencil.

DALER-ROWNEY

And now pastel pencils come from the UK. They have the following characteristics given by the artists who have tried them:

• The base consists of a high quality pigment that binds kaolin and chalk.
• Pigment is distinguished by the depth of color and richness of shades.
• Applied softly to paper leaving a beautiful finish.
• Colors are easy to mix,rub. It is possible to use pencils to draw small details.

PITT Faber-Castell

German company producing high quality artistic pastel pencils. Here's what makes her products different:

• Saturated shades.
• Colors blend well allowing the artist to create beautiful transitions.
• Great for drawing complex and small details.
• Do not contain oil and wax. Maximum percentage of pigment.
• With minimal fixation, they continue to maintain color vibrancy without fading over time.
• Lightfast.
• Sold both in sets and individually, which is convenient for beginners.

Pencil "Divage Pastel"

And we will analyze the question off topic. Often come across reviews of the pencil "Divage Pastel". However, this product has nothing to do with the heroes of our story. Divage Pastel is the name of a range of cosmetic products. This includes pencils for lips, eyebrows, eyes in delicate (pastel) shades. Of course, this cosmetic product does not contain pastel art material among its ingredients.

Pastel pencils are a great option for a beginner artist. Unlike traditional soft pastels, they are comfortable to work with in the studio and outdoors. Pencils do not break or crumble, do not stain hands and do not leave behind a cloud of pastel dust. Color variations in modern stores are rich.