What brand of soft pastels is the best?

Question

I really want to start using soft pastels, but I have no idea what brand I should get. I have recently just used "school grade" pastels, and I have produced pretty good stuff with them, but I just want to continue working on more art over the summer. I've been looking at Rembrandt pastels, and i'm wondering how those are. -Side note- I am also wondering if there is a subject that works better in soft pastels, rather than paints, or colored pencil. And what makes it suitable for each medium. Thanks

Answer 1

Is budget a consideration? Because you can spend a ton on some brands. Generally speaking the better the pastel--the higher the price. Let's go in descending order:
Unison: the best--the most expensive
Sennelier: very good--very pricey
Great American Art Works: pretty darn good--pretty pricey
Rembrandt: very good (for many pastelists a staple brand)--price is not so bad.
Schminke: good--not a bad price
Faber-Castell: formerly Grumbacher: very good--decent price
Nupastel: good, but not really a soft pastel--price okay.

As for subject--anything and everything. Depending on how you work, there is no subject that you can't do with pastels.

Answer 2

I've used Rembrandt soft pastels for years and I love them. Though, my painting professor swears by Schmincke Pastels, she says they have colors that no one else does, but they're pretty expensive! You can also buy individual pastels at art stores, and see which one you like most.

If I had to choose a personal favorite subject for soft pastels, I'd have to say portraits, because of the layering and blending you can do with them.

Do take caution in doing pastels, though. Use a dust mask! Many of the colors are toxic or can contain something that is hazardous. Even if they say they are safe, its still not a good idea to breath in the dust. I had an OLD set of hard pastels that I found out contained mercury & lead. :o/

Answer 3

Yes, all the brands cited are top grade materials: Holbein, Rembrandt, Grumbacher, Winsor and Newton, etc...
They may vary in softness and colors, you don't have to stick to one brand, you may have a basic rembrandt set and have some winsor colors you like, etc. Most stores sell the pastels per color, so you don't have to buy all the set from only one brand.

If you want the very best pastels for your needs (say unique colors, softness, adherence, etc) You should try making your own pastels. It's easy. There are a lot of sites that may guide you through the process.

http://painting.about.com/library/weekly/aamakepastela.htm

And like that you can add a little more Pigment, more filler or more binder, changing their proprieties to your needs. You may need a few tries to know exactly what you are looking for, but in the end you will have you own pastels. Of course if you use good quality materials (artist grade pigments, arabic gum, etc.) for your pastels you can make them as good as rembrandt's or winsor and newton's

You can also mix your own colors. It's a lot of fun:


And for the subjects, pastels are great, you can draw anything from animals, to portraits to landscapes to abstract pictures. I suggest looking at the masters of pastel drawing: Chardin, Rosalba Carriera, Maurice Quentin de La Tour, Jean-Étienne Liotard, Degas, Redon, Paula Rego, Cy Twombly, etc...

Have fun!

Answer 4

Nupastels are thinner & harder than the Rembrants you've used so you could get a more controlled, layered effect if you prefer that.
You will probably have to play a bit with different brands..
You can do any subject matter with Pastels, but portraits, still lifes, and nature seem to be favorites. Alot depends on your interests, style and which pastels you end up using, too.

Answer 5

Rembrandt Pastels

Answer 6

Personally, I use pastels only when doing a mixed media approach to a subject, and in that case use the large stick Senneliers. I liked the size and buttery quality- they fit what I'm trying to do. The medium should fit your vision. Start with something you can afford and like the feel of. JUST my opinion. As to subject matter - there is none - start looking at the pastel work of artists (Degas being exceptional) - check shows at galleries - many artists working now do pastels and use them in a variety of unique ways with varied subject matter - even abstract.

Answer 7

I love soft pastel especially work on Velour (Velvet) paper. I used Grumbacher's Soft Pastels. Work very nicely on Velour paper. As I understand that Prismacolor is same Grumbacher.

Answer 8

If you intend to learn to bring an ideal picture all that's necessary is time and Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery guide from here https://tr.im/pwzwS to be in the proper path.
The instructions from Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery guide contain 208 pages and a total of 605 illustrations.  The essential approach used is that you begin with a photo, draw a mild outline of the feature, and then color it in.
Realistic Pencil Portrait Mastery is the perfect allied to help make the ideal draw.

Answer 9

Just a word of caution. I work in an art school (college level) and pastels are forbidden in any of our classrooms and studios. They are among the most hazardous materials you can use. Pigments contain heavy metals such as cobalt, titanium, zinc, and cadmium. These are carcinogens and you are breathing them in any time you rub that pastel over your paper. Unlike other substances you breate in, these metals do not pass out of your system, but stay in vital organs. No one knows the tolerances, especially for women, and over long periods of time. I would urge you to use another medium, or go with materials marked "paper chalk," as thees are made of non-toxic pigments.
You might want to visit some of the websites that specialize in health and safety information for artists.

Answer 10

I AM A HUGE FAN OF REMBRANDT AND HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM. THEY CAN BE A BIT PRICEY, BUT YOU CAN ALSO OFTEN PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL STICKS IF YOU WANT A SPECIFIC COLOR.

GOOD LUCK.