Emilie Meyer
Pan pastels are a fun and versatile medium that can be used to create beautiful and colourful backgrounds for artwork. They are a type of soft pastel that comes in a pan format, similar to watercolour paints, and can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including paper and paste. When creating a background with pan pastels, it is important to choose the right type of paper that will allow the pastels to stick well and create a smooth and even layer of colour. Sanded paper, such as LuxArchival, is a popular choice among artists as it is archival and acid-free, ensuring the longevity of the artwork. To create a soft and subtle background, artists can use soft tools, such as sponges or mop brushes, to gently apply and blend the pan pastels, creating a base tone or a gradient effect.
Characteristics and Values of using Pan Pastels for backgrounds
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper choice | Sanded paper, LuxArchival, Canson Mi-Teintes, Pastelmat paper |
| Tools | Sofft sponge, mop brush, blending tools, stencils, knives, larger sponges |
| Colours | Turquoise, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Green Extra Dark, Bright Yellow Green |
| Techniques | Blending, adding depth, creating highlights, mixing colours |
| Tips | Use fixatives to prevent colours from darkening, spray artwork several times while working |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right paper
Texture and Adhesion
Look for paper with a suitable texture that allows the Pan Pastels to stick well. Sanded paper, such as LuxArchival, is a popular choice among artists as it provides a good adhesion surface for the pastels. The uniform texture of some papers may not hold the pastel effectively, leading to a muddy appearance when blending. Therefore, it is essential to choose a paper with the right texture to ensure the pastel adheres properly and blends smoothly.
Acid-Free and Archival Quality
Consider using acid-free and archival-quality paper, especially if you want your artwork to last long-term. LuxArchival, for instance, is archival and acid-free on both the front and back, ensuring that your artwork remains intact over time. Using a PH testing pen can help verify if your chosen paper is acidic or not.
Colour and Size
The colour and size of the paper can also be important factors. Pastelmat paper, for example, comes in a variety of colours, providing a good base for your Pan Pastel artwork. Additionally, if you plan to create larger artwork, ensure you have a large enough pad of paper. Keep in mind that blowing up smaller artwork to a larger size may not yield desirable results.
Fixatives
When using Pan Pastels, consider the potential impact of fixatives on the paper and pastel colours. Many fixatives tend to darken pastel colours, so choose a fixative that won't alter the colours, such as SpectraFix, and apply it in very light layers using a fine mist sprayer.
In summary, when choosing the right paper for Pan Pastels, opt for sanded paper with good adhesion properties, consider acid-free and archival options, select an appropriate colour and size, and be mindful of the effects of fixatives on the paper and pastel colours.
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Using a stencil
Prepare Your Work Area and Materials:
Start by covering your work area with a protective sheet, as pan pastels can be messy. Pastels can leave stains, so it's a good idea to wear old clothing or an apron. Make sure you have paper towels, baby wipes, or a damp cloth nearby for easy clean-up.
Secure Your Stencil:
Place your chosen stencil on your desired surface. Secure the stencil with washi tape to prevent it from moving around. You can use any type of stencil, but those made from durable and flexible PET plastic will be the most long-lasting and reusable.
Apply Pan Pastels:
Gently rub the pan pastel into the stencil holes using your fingertip or a tool like a cotton swab (Q-tip). You can use a variety of colours and blend them together for a subtle, shaded look. If you're using a soft pastel, be aware that it might be a bit messy and produce more dust. Harder "soft pastels" are better for sharp lines, but not as suitable for this technique.
Remove Stencil and Clean Up:
Once you're happy with the application, carefully remove the stencil and wash it under running water to remove any residual pastel. Clean your hands as well, as the pastel should wash off easily.
Fix the Pastel:
To prevent the pastel from smudging or coming off, apply a fixative spray. You can use a product specifically designed for this purpose, like Spray 'N' Shine, or even hairspray, which many pastel artists use.
Add Focal Images (Optional):
If you want to add more detail to your background, you can use a focal image stencil. Place the stencil on your surface and apply a modelling paste, such as Liquitex Modelling Paste, or an alternative like crackle, fibre, or moulding paste. Let this dry fully, which may take several hours or overnight, depending on humidity.
Experiment and Have Fun:
Feel free to experiment with different colours, stencils, and techniques to create unique and interesting backgrounds. You can also try pairing pan pastels with watermark ink to add texture and create various effects on black or white paper.
Using pan pastels with stencils is an enjoyable and creative process that allows you to produce vibrant and detailed backgrounds for your artwork.
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Applying colour
Another option is to use Sofft tools, which come in various shapes and sizes and produce different marks. Knives, which resemble small shovels, are ideal for lifting and applying pan pastels to your surface. The larger sponges are also useful for blocking in medium to large areas quickly and efficiently. These sponges are durable and can be easily cleaned with a microfibre cloth or washed with water.
Additionally, you can combine pan pastel colours to create new shades. This technique is particularly useful when you want to adjust a colour slightly rather than create an entirely new colour. For example, adding a hint of yellow to brown can give it a yellowish-brown appearance.
When applying colour, it is essential to consider the type of paper you are using. Sanded paper, such as LuxArchival, is a popular choice as it is archival and acid-free on both sides, ensuring the longevity of your artwork. Canson Mi-Teintes can also be used, but sanded paper is preferred due to its better adhesion of pan pastels.
To enhance the adhesion of the pan pastels to the paper and prevent them from dusting off over time, it is recommended to use a fixative. However, be cautious as many fixatives can darken pastel colours. A lightweight application of SpectraFix, applied with a fine mist sprayer, can help avoid this issue. It is advisable to spray your work several times during the creation process to improve the long-term adhesion of the pastels.
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Blending colours
If you want to create a soft, grassy green background, start by adding a layer of Extra Dark Green pan pastel. Then, add highlights with Bright Yellow Green. You can also use a colourless blending powder, which makes it easier to blend and smoothen the colours on the paper. This works well on dedicated pastel paper, but if you're using smoother paper, prime the surface with a layer of fixative first.
Once you're happy with the blending, use a workable fixative to seal in the colours. This will prevent smudging and allow you to add additional layers of pan pastels or other mediums. You can also use a colourless blender like the Brush & Pencil Powder Blender, which lubricates the surface and allows for easier blending without requiring a fixative.
Pan pastels are great for creating soft, 'bokeh' backgrounds with out-of-focus circles of light. They can be used alone or in conjunction with coloured pencils. Applying pan pastels first and then working on top with coloured pencils can give your artwork a beautiful, blurred background effect.
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Fixing the pastel
PanPastels are professional-grade soft pastel colours packed in a unique pan, cake-like format. The cake or disk-shaped design makes them very compact and easily portable. However, this also puts them at risk of breaking into many pieces if they are dropped.
If your PanPastels have broken, you can fix them by following these steps:
- Gather all the broken pieces of the pastel into a small plastic bag and grind them into a fine powder using the back of a spoon.
- Transfer the powdered pastel back into the pan.
- Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) with an alcohol content between 70-99.9% to the pan and mix it with the pastel powder using the back of the spoon. You want to get a thick paste-like consistency, so start with a few drops and add more if needed.
- Use the back of the spoon to level out the mixture.
- Leave the pan to dry for about an hour.
- After an hour, place a tissue over the pan and use a flat lid, small container, coffee tamper, or any smooth object to gently press the pastel into the pan and create a smooth and consistent surface.
- Remove the tissue and let the PanPastel dry for at least 24 hours before using it.
Your PanPastel should now be almost as good as new! However, it is worth noting that the makers of PanPastels do not recommend this method as the alcohol can affect the lightfastness of the pastels.
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Frequently asked questions
Sanded paper is a good option as the pan pastels stick well to it. LuxArchival is a good choice as it is archival and acid-free on both the front and back. Canson Mi-Teintes also works well.
Soft tools and blending tools are good for applying pan pastels. Sofft sponges and knives are also recommended. If you want to soften a final area, you can use a small mop brush, but be aware that brushes can knock pan pastels off the paper.
You can start by picking up the pan pastel with your Sofft sponge and gently applying it to your project in a circular motion. You can use different colours to add depth and variation to your background. Once you are happy with the blending, spray with a workable fixative to seal in the pan pastel.
It is recommended to spray your work several times while you work to help the pastels adhere to the paper better in the long term. You can also combine pan pastel colours to make a different colour.
