Instructor: Lorraine Brady Arthur
Mendocino College / Art 88.6
Charcoal or Pastel Papers There are a few colored or white papers available that are available in sheets or pads that are only good for single layers of pastel. Brands include Strathmore 500 Series Charcoal Papers around a $1.00 a sheet, Canson Mi-Teintes drawing paper around $1.60 - over $2.00 a sheet. Both are available in packs or pads. Sheets are 19” x 25”. Because single layers can only be applied, this paper is only good for quicker studies or drawings. It will not work for most of our assignments that are considered paintings and need multiple layers of pastel.
Sand Paper a fine grit sand paper may be used for a cheap substitute of sanded pastel paper. Size and quality of paper has tremendous limitations.
Sanded Pastel Paper a great pastel surface with a grainy texture that holds pastel well. “Ersta” makes a 400 grit paper that is 21.25” x 27” available in a few colors. Ersta’s paper costs between $5.50 - $7.50 a sheet.
Wallis Sanded Pastel Paper this is a strong, non-buckling paper that's advantage is it is designed to first take an under-painting in oils, acrylic, or watercolors. This paper can also take tough reworking with a stiff brush. Both a museum and professional grade are available in a few sizes. The best price is for a single sheet of 24” x 36” paper that can be cut to four sheets of 12” x 18” for $16.00 (professional grade) or $22.00 (museum grade) otherwise pads of 9” x 12” are around $24.50.
Sennelier La Carte a thick paper that is slightly abrasive with a perfectly smooth uniform tooth in a range of colors of 19” x 25” size. This paper is not intended to use wet media with it. Around $9.99 a sheet.
Pastel Velour Paper is a great velvety surface that holds soft pastel to it’s surface. Artists that prefer to paint with blending in their work may find this their paper of choice. It can’t take too many layers though. “Hahnemuhle” is a manufacture of pastel velour paper. They sell a ten sheet 9” x 12” pad with a variety of colors between $18.00 and $35.00. Single full sheets of 19” x 27” are available for around $6.89 a sheet in a variety of colors.
Pastelboard (by Ampersand) is an excellent firm pastel surface that comes in a few color choices and sizes. Soft pastel adheres well to the pastelboard, and does not need much fixative. An 18” x 24” board costs between $14.00 - $19.89 a board.
Pastel board may be made by applying gesso to a sanded masonite board. Two to three coats will be applied with the top layer having pumice OR powdered marble dust Or Micaceous iron oxide or a few other mediums (such as Goldens Pumice Gel, etc. Must read labels) added to the gesso.
Other Boards Extra toothy surfaces, such as Art Spectrum Colourfix Supertooth Board (10 packs of 20” x 28” are $9.09 at Dick Blick. I have never used any of the Art Spectrum products for pastel.This seems to be a good buy and decent paper that can be used for some of the smaller quicker assignments. This is made with watercolor paper that has been primed with a clear acrylic primer that contains silica particles. The same company makes a “Multi-media” board (Art Spectrum Colourfix Multi-media Painting Board) that comes in a variety of colors, though limited in size to 12” x 16” art area. Though this claims to be a multi-media board, it also has a fine tooth surface. Dick Blick sells this board for $7.39, however I won’t recommend it since I haven’t used it or felt it with my hands.
Watercolor paper is a good surface for a pastel painting when a watercolor or acrylic under-painting is first painted and then pastel applied on top. Less layers of pastel are needed or doable when using this method (watercolor paper has less fiber or abrasion than traditional pastel papers in order for the application of multiple pastel layers, so much of the painting should be worked out first in the under-painting.)
One last remark on summing up choosing a paper is that the student should first consider the subject and size being planned to approach, then consider the pastel set that you own. Soft pastels will vary in their consistency and how they lay down on paper. Some brands are more hard, some brands are considered medium in hardness, and some are very soft or buttery. In a painting with multiple layers the “medium” or “hard” soft pastel is applied during the first layers, while the soft buttery pastel is applied last. The reason for this is that the extra soft, creamy pastels will fill in the tooth of the surface quickly because it goes on thick. Of course to work this way, it takes having more than one brand of pastel. Which is fine if you own a smaller set (and decide you love pastel and want to continue working with it), you can add another set later on or add individual sticks or make yur own. In the mean time, I recommend that you purchase a medium hard set such as Rembrandts because they are a wonderful all around pastel. It’s okay to use the same pastel for multiple layers, but the softer the pastel the less layers can be used on a paper.
Here is a fantastic link to an abundance of informaation related to pastels. It includes making your own pastels, and reviews on pastels. It is http://www.squidoo.com/pastels#module1568060 |
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