Pastels are a great art media. There are two different types of pastels, chalk pastels and oil pastels. Chalk pastels, often called soft pastels, are softer than oil pastels and they resemble chalk, hence the name. They are a bit more messy than oil pastels because they spread very easily, but they have a beautiful outcome if you know what you are doing. Because these can get very messy, and they can be complicated to use if you do not have a good product, it is important to buy the brands that are known for producing a good product. Here are some of the best brands of chalk pastels:
Unison Handmade Pastels
These pastels are made in England, and as the name implies, they are handmade. They also have a shape that makes them very easy to use, compared to normal rectangular pastels. Because they are handmade, you are guaranteed to have a color that is pure and bright, which makes for beautiful art. You can buy these pastels in sets or individually. Most that are sold individually cost $3.39, and they have a huge selection of colors to choose from. Sets are also available and those can cost anywhere from $30 to $200.
Schmincke Soft Pastels
Some of these pastels are made by hand and some are made by machines. Although some may be made by machines, they are all labeled by hand to make sure that they are not broken when you purchase them. This brand of chalk pastels offer 400 different colors, all of which are very vibrant and beautiful. The downside of this brand is that the pastels are not sold individually, so you have to purchase a set. The sets range in price from $36 to $1,690, depending on how many colors you want.
Sennelier Soft Pastels
Sennelier pastels all come in sets. The cool thing about these sets, is that some are specialized for what the artists likes to draw, such as landscapes and portraits. They also have starter kits for those just beginning. These pastels are actually round, which is very different from the usual rectangular shape, and they also come in half-sticks. Since these also are only available in sets, there are many different sets of pastels colors and sizes to choose from. The prices vary from $15 to $920.
Rembrandt Soft Pastels
Rembrandt definitely has some of the best brands of chalk pastels available. Their colors are very pure and of some of the highest quality that can be found. Because of this high quality, they also make it easier for the artists to avoid sharp edges. They are packaged in foam to ensure that they will not break when being shipped or carried around. You can also choose a wooden box or a cardboard box. Rembrandt soft pastels are only sold in sets which are available starting from $22.
Conte a Paris Soft Pastels
Since soft pastels, are obviously soft, they break very easily if too much pressure if applied. They are also known to crumble very easily. The great thing about Conte a Paris pastels is that they are very resistant to this. They are also some of the best pastels for layering. They are only available in sets, and there are only four different sets to choose from. There are two sets of 12 soft pastels available, as well as a set of 24 and a set of 48.
ref-dickblick.com
