Tillie Doyle
Pan pastels are artist-quality soft pastels packed in pans, which makes them very convenient to carry. They can be applied in a manner similar to painting, using special applicators shaped as traditional brushes. The applicators are reloaded with colour as required and can be cleaned with a paper towel. Pan pastels can be used on their own or in combination with traditional soft pastels, depending on the desired effect. They can be used on a variety of papers, but sanded paper is recommended as it allows the pastels to stick well. To prevent smudging, a workable fixative can be used to seal the layer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Tools | Sofft sponges, small mop brushes, special applicators, fingers, blending tools |
| Application Technique | Apply like paint to paper/working surface, use circular motions, create brush strokes |
| Paper Type | Sanded paper, Canson Mi-Teintes |
| Fixing | Use workable fixative, spray pastel fixative/varnish, use light layers to avoid darkening |
| Layering | Seal previous layers with fixative, add additional layers of Pan Pastels or other mediums |
| Erasing | Use an eraser to lighten or totally erase paint |
| Mixing | Mix with alcohol to create a wash, mix with water for interesting textures, mix with traditional soft pastels |
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What You'll Learn
Using a sponge applicator
To apply the pastels, gently pick up the colour with your sponge and add it to your surface. It is recommended to start with lighter colours first and then move to darker colours. You can move in a circular motion when adding colour to create depth and variation.
It is important to note that PanPastels are intended to be used dry. If you want to create a pastel wash, take the pastel out of the pan and mix it with alcohol. Do not apply wet tools, fluids, or mediums directly to the pan's surface. Instead, apply the PanPastel colour first to the surface and then apply the liquid wash with a sponge or brush to create the desired effect.
Sofft sponges are easy to clean and can be reused. Simply wipe the sponge on a dry paper towel between colours, or wash it out if needed.
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Applying fixative
If you do decide to use fixative, it is recommended to apply it by spraying it. PanPastel is compatible with all conventional spray pastel fixatives. There are two types of pastel fixative available: workable fixative and final fixative. Workable fixative is weaker and is intended to be used during the painting process. Final fixative is intended to hold the particles in place permanently.
When using fixative, it is better to spray in light layers, building up as required, rather than spraying one heavy layer. Allow the fixative to dry between layers. Always test how the fixative will respond to the colours and papers used before applying it to the artwork. Hold the can at least 12 inches or 30 cm away from the artwork when spraying. Fixatives are clear liquids made of resin or casein and something to evaporate quickly, which are sprayed onto a dry medium to stabilise the pigment.
Some pastel fixatives can cause a slight shift or darkening in colour, so it is important to purchase a decent artist-quality product specifically made for the purpose of fixing pastels.
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Paper choice
Pan pastels are incredibly versatile and can be applied to almost any surface, including most papers, to achieve good results. However, the paper type will impact the final result. For instance, on smoother papers, the colour is laid down in more transparent layers, whereas on textured paper, the colour is more intense as the paper "grabs" more colour from the sponge.
Pastel paper, watercolour paper, sanded paper, and drawing paper are all suitable for use with pan pastels. One user recommends using sanded paper, such as Fisher 400 sanded paper, as the pastel sticks well to this type of paper. Another recommends using LuxArchival sanded paper, as it is archival and acid-free on both the front and back.
Watercolour paper, such as Fabriano Artistico hot press watercolour paper, is also a good option as it is thicker than pastel paper but still takes pan pastel colour well. Canson Mi-Teintes is another option for pastel paper, although it is thinner than watercolour paper.
Pan pastels can also be used on very thin and delicate papers, like tissue paper, as they are a dry colour medium and will not cause the paper to bleed or buckle as wet paint would.
The colour of the paper will also impact the final result. For instance, blending marks will be more noticeable on white paper. Using a Pan Pastel Colorless Blender on white paper can help to achieve a smoother blend and extend the colour application. On the other hand, pastel colours show up especially well on dark papers.
Additionally, pairing pan pastels with watermark ink can create interesting textures and details, and this technique can be used on both black and white paper to create a variety of unique effects.
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Mixing colours
To start mixing colours, you can use pre-mixed colours from the pan pastel range, which includes tints, shades, and extra darks. These pre-mixed colours are created by adding black or white to the pure colour. For example, to create a tint, you add more titanium white to the pure colour.
When mixing colours, it's important to remember that pan pastels are semi-transparent, so the order in which you layer the colours matters. You can create a variety of marks and layers, from transparent to intense, by adjusting the thickness of the layers. For instance, applying thinner layers or glazing layers allows the colours underneath to show through.
Additionally, you can try double or triple loading your tools for mixing. This technique involves dipping your tool into two or three different colours and then testing the resulting colour on a sample space before applying it to your artwork. Keep in mind that this mixed colour may only last for a stroke or two, so you'll need to repeat the process as you work.
Creating accurate colour charts can be helpful in understanding how your particular colours mix together and how they interact with each other. This process can be experimental and exciting, allowing you to discover new colours and effects that you may not have expected.
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Using with traditional soft pastels
PanPastels and traditional soft pastels each have their own strengths and weaknesses. However, when combined, they can complement each other to create a more successful artwork.
PanPastels can be applied in a manner similar to painting. Special applicators, shaped as traditional brushes, are used to apply the pastel to the surface. Many artists like this connection to traditional painting as it allows them to create brush strokes, making the finished image look more like a traditional painting. With traditional soft pastels, this look is more difficult to achieve and usually requires some delicate blending with the finger or a blending tool.
When using PanPastels with traditional soft pastels, one method is to first develop the background and the middleground using PanPastels. Softer brush strokes can be created using the applicators. Then, details in the middleground can be added with soft pastels, increasing the contrast and further defining objects. Some areas can be left alone, allowing the marks made with the PanPastels to create the illusion of space and depth. From here on out, all work can be completed with soft pastels.
Another method is to use PanPastels for underpainting and painting. The PanPastel powder can be mixed with water to create a wash, although it won't mix evenly with the water and will result in an uneven wash with interesting textures. To make some areas darker, dip the brush directly into the pastel pan and brush over the wash while it's still wet.
PanPastels and traditional soft pastels can also be used together to create softer and harder areas in a drawing. For softer areas, PanPastels can be used to create atmospheric effects. For harder and more defined sections, traditional soft pastels can be used.
It's worth noting that PanPastels and traditional soft pastels have different consistencies and require different application techniques. Traditional soft pastels are cylindrical in shape and come in varying degrees of softness. Super soft pastels can be used for very soft backgrounds but should be used lightly as they can crumble easily. PanPastels, on the other hand, are packed in pans and have a chalk-like feel. They are highly pigmented and can be applied quickly and easily, making them ideal for adding colour to large areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Pan Pastels can be applied using various tools such as sponges, applicators, brushes, and blending tools. The official Sofft Tools by Golden are sponge tools in different shapes and sizes that are designed to be used with Pan Pastels.
Sanded paper, such as LuxArchival, is recommended as the Pan Pastels stick well to this surface. It is also important to note that fixatives may darken pastel colours, so a workable fixative or light layers of SpectraFix are suggested.
Pan Pastels are intended to be used dry. However, some artists have experimented with using them wet by mixing the pastel powder with water or alcohol to create interesting textures.
You can mix colours directly on the pan surface or on your working surface (paper). A heavy amount of Pan Pastel material is needed on the applicator to achieve rich tones. To create a mid-tone, you can start by mixing a light grey wash.
Yes, Pan Pastels can be easily erased or lightened with a simple eraser, depending on the type of paper used.
