Dry pastels: features of use

Dry pastels are a well-liked medium for artists of all ages, even young ones, because of their vivid colors and convenient format. These sticks, which resemble chalk, are ideal for experimenting with various creative techniques and producing textured, soft artwork. Dry pastels are a special way for your child to bring their ideas to life, whether they are just starting to draw or they already enjoy playing around with art supplies.

The versatility of dry pastels is one of their best features. They are an enjoyable option for a variety of projects because they can be used on different surfaces like paper, cardboard, or even fabric. Their rich pigmentation also makes it easy to create bold and striking artwork, encouraging children to express themselves freely. However, because they can be smudgy and messy, handling them takes some practice.

Children can also learn valuable skills by using dry pastels. By blending colors, adding layers, and experimenting with shading, they can improve their comprehension of artistic techniques and color theory. It’s an engaging, hands-on method to improve creativity and fine motor skills. This post will go over the characteristics of dry pastels, their proper usage, and some advice on how to let your kids safely and successfully work with this medium.

What is it?

• dry;
• wax;
• oil;
• watercolor;
• silicon.

A hard binder is combined with pure pigment to create dry pastel. The composition’s use of chalk gives the picture a matte, velvety texture. It is made in both soft and hard forms. The degree of paint softness determines how bright the drawing is; a drawing made with hard pastel is duller than one made with soft pastel. Many shades exist to represent the color spectrum. The most widely used type is thought to be dry pastel.

It is produced in the shape of pastel or crayon pencils. It is more versatile and easier to work with than other varieties. On paper, dry pastel is just shaded. They differ from oil pastels in this way as well as in a few other ways. For instance, dry pastel lies on all adjacent objects if oil pastel does not stain everything around it. You must handle it with extreme caution.

Dry pastel needs to be fixed because the paint will eventually begin to chip. Cans of special fixatives are sold in art supply stores. For these uses, regular hairspray is frequently employed. The drawing should be kept in a folder with paper underneath or under glass. Dry pastels are unique from other types in that they can only be applied to paper. Use rough paper when working with hard crayons to facilitate easier paint application. It can be applied in layers.

Mixing colors with dry pastels is a breeze. You can use it to make new shades. Additionally, the powder that is left over after the crayons are broken up can be used to add color to a variety of soft, thick, or liquid materials.

Karski should be kept between 18 and 20 degrees in a dry, warm location. Steer clear of direct radiation.

Composition

Pigment, fillers, and a binder—such as sugar, tragacanth, gum arabic, Chasov-Yarskaya clay, or another water-based glue—are the ingredients of dry pastel. To give the colors different shades, different whites are added to the mass. You can skip the adhesive if you dilute the color with chalk, talc, or gypsum because those ingredients bind the coloring powder when combined with them. The volume of the binder determines how hard the finished pastel will be; the harder the crayons, the more of it there is.

With dry pastels, artists of all skill levels can effortlessly create vivid, eye-catching drawings. They are a versatile and vibrant art medium. This article examines the special qualities of dry pastels, such as their rich pigments and soft, blendable texture, and offers advice on how to handle, blend, and fix pastels for optimal effects. Knowing the fundamentals of using dry pastels can lead to new opportunities for artistic expression, whether one is an adult looking to hone their artistic abilities or a child pursuing their creative side.

Types

There are two varieties of dry artistic pastels available: soft and hard.

Hard

Pastel pencils and rectangular crayons are the forms in which it is manufactured. Pencils are easy to use, leave no stains, and produce neat drawings. However, compared to crayons, the color spectrum is not as expansive. Pastel bars that are hard and don’t crumble easily can be sharpened. Sandpaper is usually used for this.

This style works well for creating delicate, distinct strokes, contours, and small details. However, it’s not as vibrant as soft crayons. able to produce drafts, sketches, and drawing bases. Furthermore, hard pastels should be preferred over graphite pencils in this context.

Using hard pastels is simpler. Both young artists and children can use it.

Soft

It is made in the shape of circular crayons. Because they are more friable and fragile than hard ones, using them is more challenging. They are covered in paper in this sense. Soft pastels must be handled carefully and gently because they will crumble into pieces if they fall.

Utilized as a professional medium by skilled artists with a wealth of experience. The range of colors is the broadest. The paint is well fixed on paper because of its softness, and the colors are vibrant and saturated. The drawing’s texture is lovely and intriguing, and shading is a breeze. Huge voids in the canvas are effectively filled in with soft pastels. This kind of dry pastel has a softer, more airy quality.

One way to stop color smudging and shedding on paper is to use a special fixative or hairspray. To avoid destroying the image’s color and leaving stains, it is preferable to use a substance that has been specifically made for this use. Two different kinds of dry pastels can be used simultaneously.

Pastel crayons come in 12, 15, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, and even 120 colors, and can be purchased separately or in sets for drawing.

Best brands

Let’s think about the most well-known brands.

Sonnet

This domestic company sells paint sets in 12, 36, and 48 color options. Two tiers of packing keep rounded crayons compact in a carrying box. Fragile; do not spray; easily applied; semi-solid in structure. reasonable cost.

Mungyo

Crayons in soft square shape. There are known colors as well as unique ones. Sets can be displayed in 12, 24, and 48 colors in the first scenario, and 12 monochromatic dark tone shades in the second. In addition, a set of 72 colors exists. Superior pigments in the paint encourage lightfastness. The drawing is smooth and velvety, and the colors blend nicely.

Faber Castell

Rectangular crayon sets come in 24, 36, and 60 color combinations. High-grade pigments are used by the company, and each crayon has a lightfastness indicator. On any type of paper, the paint applies smoothly and roughly. It is simple to shade the drawing using your fingers, a brush, or other tools. The crayon’s flat, wide part can be used to color large areas of the drawing, and its sharpened ends can be used to draw thin lines. It is preferable to correct the completed work.

Rembrandt

Expert-quality content appropriate for both beginning and seasoned painters. When made, crayons have a cylindrical form. Natural dyes and Chinese kaolin are used in the composition. Colors that are saturated have a lot of pigment. The crayons work well on a variety of textures of paper and are unbreakable and lightfast. There are 218 distinct shades available from the manufacturer. Sets of 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 150 colors are available. The cost is substantial.

Kon-i-noor

Round-shaped pastel crayons are manufactured by a Czech company. The company is well-liked by artists. The company buys dyes and binders from reputable suppliers who have made a name for themselves in the industry. It produces sets of 12, 24, 36, and 48 colors. The hues are intense and vibrant. The cost is affordable. The paint is easy to apply, the crayons are soft, and they don’t scratch paper. It is possible to mix colors.

Sennelier

Excellent pastel. pleasantly soft to the touch. valued by experts. There are 525 tones of colors to choose from. High cost.

Conte

Renowned producer from France. This pastel has supple, velvety strokes. The material has been painted with good application. Ideal for painting large-scale artwork. Average cost. Sets are easy to transport. as being beneath certain businesses.

Lyra

A German company’s rectangular pastel crayons are appropriate for both amateur and professional painting. Since sets are only produced in 12 and 24 colors, the material does not crumble and the colors are bright and easy for users to mix with one another. Although expensive, the price is in line with the quality.

Olki

A dry pastel cylindrical shape is produced by a Petersburg company. The manufacturer offers up to 150 shades in total. is easy to use and satisfies the outlet when painting with fingers. The material and packaging quality are mediocre despite the reasonably appealing price. Loves are brittle.

SchminCke

German manufacturer of "Extra" dry soft pastel. produced with rounded outlets. The pigments are non-toxic, and there is very little binder used. can be applied in a variety of ways. You can use it on acrylic and oil. Fixatives must be utilized. A color scheme with up to 400 distinct shades. Expensive cost.

Reviews

It goes without saying that customers who have established themselves as high-quality brands speak well of those businesses. Pastel works by Rembrandt were highly regarded. Only the high price and lack of accessibility are mentioned as drawbacks. Customers find paint manufacturer Faber Castell to be appealing as well. Among the drawbacks, the crayons’ excessively tiny size is the most noticeable.

Additionally, Mungyo, Sonnet, Schmincke, Lyra, and Sennelier paints received favorable reviews. Users of other brands’ pastels have mostly negative things to say about how easily they break, how difficult it is to store, transport, and apply to paper, and how easily they stain everything in their path.

Feature	Explanation
Soft Texture	Dry pastels have a soft texture, making them easy to blend and layer.
Vibrant Colors	They offer bright, vivid colors that stand out on paper.
Dusty	Using dry pastels can be messy due to the dust they create, so it"s good to work in a well-ventilated space.
Fragile	Pastel sticks are delicate and can break easily if not handled carefully.
Requires Fixative	Finished artwork needs to be sprayed with a fixative to prevent smudging.

Artists of all ages and abilities can enjoy working with dry pastels because they are a flexible and expressive medium. They can give drawings and other artwork a special quality because of their vivid colors and distinctive texture. Whether applied to intricate landscapes, portraits, or abstract artwork, dry pastels offer a captivating means of fostering artistic expression.

It’s critical to comprehend how to handle and take care of pastels in order to achieve the best results. Using the right paper, storing it properly, and trying out various blending methods can all improve the experience. Furthermore, using fixatives to protect the artwork can help keep the colors vibrant and avoid smudging.

All things considered, dry pastels are a great option for anyone wishing to give their artistic creations a fresh perspective. They can be a fun and rewarding medium to work with, offering countless opportunities for creativity and individual expression, with a little perseverance and practice.

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