Essential Tools Every Soft Pastel Artist Needs

I use soft pastels (not oil pastels) as my chosen medium - they are vibrant, versatile, and tactile drawing tools. But to truly unlock their potential, having the right materials at your fingertips makes all the difference. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your setup, here are some essentials I rely on to create my artworks.

Quality Soft Pastels

Not all pastel sticks are created equal, and investing in quality makes a noticeable difference. I use Unison soft pastels as I love the strong colours and amount of pigment I an apply with each ‘brush stroke.’ Start with a small set of versatile colors and build your collection as you grow.

The Right Pastel Paper

Your choice of paper can elevate your artwork - or frustrate you! For textured surfaces that hold multiple layers of pigment, I use Clairefontaine Pastelmat (usually anthracite colour). These papers minimize pastel dust while allowing for smooth blending and mixing with vibrant results.

A Clean Workspace

This may not sound like a traditional "tool," but it’s essential for a stress-free creative process. Pastels can be messy, so I keep a handheld vacuum or soft brush nearby to clean up excess dust. A sheet of paper under my workspace helps keep my studio tidy and colors pure.

A Loose Mindset

Soft pastels can be unpredictable, and that’s part of their charm. Embrace the flexibility they offer as layers can be adjusted, mistakes blended away, shapes re-sculpted and colors reworked until your pastel painting comes to life.

These tools help me stay focused on the fun part: creating. Got a favorite pastel tip or tool I missed? Let me know—I’d love to hear what works for you.

Ready to explore the soft pastel world? Check out my available works section for inspiration or to find something perfect for your space.

Red & Spring Onions

See more in the ‘available works’ section

Pastel Art: Why Soft Pastels?

Soft pastels often get lumped into the same category as chalk -dusty, brittle sticks that make a mess. But for artists who’ve unlocked their potential, soft pastels are so much more than that. Let’s explore what makes this medium unique and why they deserve a place in your art toolkit.

What Makes Soft Pastels Special?

Soft pastels are pure pigment in its most vivid, concentrated form, bound together with just enough binder to hold them together. This means you’re holding raw color in your hands, with an intensity and vibrancy that’s hard to replicate in other mediums. Unlike chalk, which can be dry and brittle, soft pastels glide smoothly across your surface, offering rich textures and dynamic blends.

Soft pastels also give you unparalleled control - whether you want bold, dramatic strokes or delicate, feathered layers, the choice is yours. The tactile nature of the medium allows you to directly engage with your pastel painting in a way that feels intuitive.

Challenging the Myths………

“Pastels Are Just for Beginners”

Wrong. While soft pastels are approachable for beginners, they are also favored by master artists for their versatility and professional-grade results. From Degas to today’s contemporary pastelists, this medium has a rich history of producing museum-worthy masterpieces.

“Pastels Are Too Messy”

Yes, pastels can create dust—but this is easily managed with the right techniques. A gentle touch, proper blending tools, wearing gloves and a clean workspace minimize mess.

“They’re Fragile and Don’t Last”

While soft pastels are delicate, they’re far from temporary. Proper storage and framing ensure your pastel artwork can last for generations. Plus, high-quality pastels are designed to resist fading, maintaining their vibrancy over time.

Why Choose Soft Pastels?

Soft pastels are perfect for:

Expressive Color: Layering, blending, and experimenting with color.

Portability: No need for water, brushes, or palettes; they’re ideal for plein air or quick sketches.

Creative Exploration: Their forgiving nature allows for constant adjustments, making them a fantastic medium for experimentation.

Have you worked with soft pastels before? Or are you curious to give them a try? Share your experiences or questions in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to check out my latest pastel creations in the ‘available works’ section for inspiration.

The Arboretum In Snow

See more in the ‘available works’ section

How I Start a New Pastel Painting: First Steps

Everyone has their own way of beginning a new piece. This is where the idea comes to life, and the foundation is set for the entire artwork. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for some fresh inspiration, here’s how I approach the beginning.

Picking a subject

I choose my subjects from my own observations that I often capture as photographs. Whether landscape, still life or animals, usually choose subjects based on light and how the light emphasizes the colour that I can see.

Planning and sketching ideas

Once I’ve chosen a subject, I only loosely plan as I want to stay as . I typically sketch rough ideas in pencil and shape where the lightest and darkest sections of the subject are. The goal is just to get an idea of composition and if the desired part of the subject ‘pops.’

I try to concentrate on identifying the focal point of the painting and the colour that will jump out. I then sketch he overall shape of the painting using a willow charcoal stick, just to make a basic outline.

Deciding on colors

Color is one of my favorite parts of the process. Before diving in, I choose a palette that complements the mood I want to create. For example:

Warm tones, cool tones and bold contrasts. I often keep an off-cut of pastel paper next to my painting and test colour value and combinations on there before I commit it to the painting.

Starting with dark values

Finally, I begin adding my first layers of color. I work lightly, focusing on blocking in the main ‘large’ areas without worrying too much about detail. This allows me to adjust things as I go and build up depth gradually. I start with the darkest values as it is easier to add lighter values on top of this later rather than the other way around.

'Sculpting out’ the detail with mid-tone values

I then add the mid-tones and use the shape of the pastel sticks to sculpt the more detailed shapes of the pastel painting. I use bold mark-making as if using a palette-knife with oil paints for example. I finally use the lightest values of colour, right at the end, and hopefully this makes the final piece ‘pop’ as planned.

How do you start your artwork? Do you dive right in or take time to plan? Share your process in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re looking for more inspiration, check out my recent works in the ‘available works’ section to see how my process unfolds.