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Pastel art is an artistic technique that uses sticks composed of pure pigments, a charge (chalky or plaster) and a binder. This medium, popular for its vibrant colours and velvety texture, is mainly available in two families: dry pastels and fatty pastels.

Dry Pastels (Tender and Hard)

Dry pastels are appreciated for their powdery appearance and ease of blending.
Easy Tips for Stunning Pastel Paintings

Soft Pastels: Very rich in pigments with little binder. They allow you to create generous flats and subtle gradients. The Sennelier (Extra Soft) and Schmincke brands are renowned for their "buttery" creaminess.

Hard Pastels: Contain more binder, which makes them stronger. Their often square shape (like the Squares Conté) is ideal for sketches and precise details.

Pastel pencils: Hard pastel mines covered with wood, offering maximum precision for finishes without getting your hands dirty.

Fat pastels (Oil and wax)

Unlike dry pastels, they do not produce dust and do not fade easily.

Oil pastels: Bound with oil and wax, they have a creamy texture close to lipstick. They can be diluted with turpentine for a rendering close to oil painting. Sennelier and Holbein are considered professional references.

Twax pastels: Firmer, they are often used for drawing and sketches. Some models, such as the Caran d'Ache Neocolor II, are watercolourable.

Essential supports and equipment

The choice of paper is crucial because it must have "grain" (a rough texture) to hang the pigments.

Recommended papers: The Clairefontaine Pastelmat is a reference because its gripping surface allows the layers to be superimposed without excessive saturation and reduces the need for a fixative. The Canson Mi-Teintes is a very popular versatile alternative.

Accessories: Artists use fading (paper twists) or their own fingers to melt colours. A bread crumb gum is essential to correct or create highlights of light by removing material.

Protection: A spray fixative can be applied to stabilise the powder, although it can slightly darken the tints. For optimal conservation, the works must be framed under glass with a passe-partout.