Pan Pastels: The Ultimate Artist's Medium

PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours packed in a unique pan format. Artists can blend and apply pastel (dry) colour like paint. They are made using a unique manufacturing process requiring minimal binder and fillers, resulting in rich, ultra-soft and super-blendable colours. They are semi-transparent, mixable, and low dust. The size and dimensions of a PanPastel are very similar to a makeup blush, bronzer, or powder foundation.

PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours in a unique pan format

PanPastel Colours are packed in a unique, cake-like pan format. This format sets them apart from traditional pastel sticks and offers a range of advantages. The pans are housed in a plastic compact, similar in size and dimensions to a makeup blush, bronzer, or powder foundation. This compact packaging provides a convenient and space-efficient way to store and transport your pastels, making them ideal for artists with limited workspace.

The PanPastel Colours themselves are of exceptional quality. They are made with a unique manufacturing process that requires minimal binder and fillers, resulting in rich, ultra-soft, and super-blendable colours. Each colour is loaded with the finest quality artists' pigments, ensuring the most concentrated colours possible. The colours have also been tested for lightfastness and are fully erasable, providing durability and versatility for your artwork.

One of the key benefits of PanPastels is the flexibility they offer in application. Artists can use PanPastel for painting, drawing, and mixed media. The pan format allows artists to blend and apply pastel (dry) colour like paint, a technique that was not possible with traditional pastel sticks. This opens up new creative possibilities and allows for a wider range of artistic expressions.

To apply the pastel from the pan to your desired surface, you will need a tool such as a blending knife or a sponge. PanPastel recommends their SOFFT Tool Blending Knives and Sponges, which are designed specifically for their products. However, alternative soft sponge items, such as makeup sponges or foam-tipped eyeshadow applicators, can also be used.

In addition to their performance and application benefits, PanPastels also offer a more hygienic and cleaner way of working with pastels. Traditional pastel sticks can create dust and mess, especially when used heavily. PanPastels, on the other hand, produce less dust and provide a more uniform coverage, making them a quicker and neater option. This is especially advantageous for creating large blocks of colour or for artists with respiratory issues who may be sensitive to dust.

They are packed in a metal pan, housed in a plastic compact

PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours packed in a unique pan format. They are pressed into a metal pan and housed in a plastic compact. The size and dimensions of a PanPastel are similar to makeup blush, bronzer, or powder foundation. The pastel colours are loaded with the finest quality of pigments for the most concentrated colours possible. They are highly pigmented, rich, ultra-soft, and super-blendable. They are also low dust, making for a cleaner working environment.

PanPastels are available in a wide selection of sets and kits in various colour palettes. All sets include free Sofft Tools. The optimum tools for applying PanPastel are various applicators and tools for painting, drawing, and mixed media. Palette trays are the most convenient way to store and transport the colours.

The special qualities of PanPastels mean that artists can blend and apply pastel (dry) colour like paint for the first time. They can be used for painting, drawing, and mixed media. They are also versatile and can be used with most other artists' media (e.g. coloured pencils, markers, inks, pastel sticks, etc.) for a variety of techniques and on most art surfaces from smooth to textured.

Compared to soft pastel sticks, PanPastels are semi-transparent, mixable, and allow for quicker and cleaner uniform coverage for large blocks of colour. They are also easier to control than dry brushing.

They can be applied like paint using blending knives and sponges

PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours packed in a unique pan format. They are not oil-based but have a chalk-like feel. One of the benefits of using PanPastels is that you can apply colour quickly and easily. They are highly pigmented, blend well, and are created to produce very little dust.

PanPastels can be applied like paint using blending knives and sponges. They can be used with their own Sofft tools, which are sponge tools in different shapes and sizes. These sponges have a texture and stiffness that works well with the PanPastels. To apply the pastels, gently pick up the colour with your sponge and add it to your surface.

PanPastel offers a variety of Sofft tools, including sponge bars in round, flat, wedge, and point shapes, as well as angle slices in round and flat shapes. They also offer Sofft Knives & Covers in mixed shapes, including round, flat, oval, and point. These tools can be used like brushes to apply and blend the PanPastel colours onto your surface.

When using the sponges, it is important to treat them gently so that they last a long time. The sponges can be cleaned and reused, but they should not be mixed with water in the pan. If you are interested in creating a pastel wash, take the pastel out of the pan and mix it with alcohol to create a wash.

The unique pan format of PanPastels allows artists to blend and apply pastel (dry) colour like paint for the first time. This makes them a versatile medium that can be used for painting, drawing, and mixed media projects.

PanPastels are expensive but priced within the normal range for professional-quality art supplies

PanPastels are professional-quality soft pastel colours packed in a unique pan format. Artists can blend and apply pastel (dry) colour like paint, and use them for painting, drawing, and mixed media. They are made using a unique manufacturing process that requires minimal binder and fillers, resulting in rich, ultra-soft, and super-blendable colours. Each colour contains high-quality pigments to achieve the most concentrated colours possible, and they have all been tested for lightfastness and are fully erasable.

PanPastels are priced similarly to other professional-quality art supplies. While a single colour can cost over $7 USD, they are not overpriced when compared to other pastel brands. The price per cubic inch of PanPastel is consistent with many other brands, with the exception of Richeson. However, it is important to note that the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is just a guideline, and art stores often sell supplies below the MSRP. Additionally, sets of PanPastels are often bundled at lower prices than purchasing individual colours.

The unique pan format of PanPastels offers several advantages over traditional pastel sticks. Firstly, they are semi-transparent, mixable, and low dust, making them a quicker and cleaner option for achieving uniform coverage for large blocks of colour. Secondly, their large pan format allows artists to be flexible in their application when used with the recommended SOFFT tools, although similar effects can be achieved with pastel sticks and sandpaper.

While PanPastels may be more expensive than some other art supplies, they offer several benefits that make them a popular choice for professional artists. The high-quality pigments and unique manufacturing process result in rich, blendable colours that are easy to apply and provide consistent coverage. Additionally, the clear labelling of the colour on the underside of the pan makes reordering colours much easier than with traditional pastel sticks. For artists who are concerned about space, PanPastels can be stacked and stored in clear plastic trays, making them a compact option for those with limited work areas.

They are lower dust than standard pastel sticks

PanPastels are a type of pastel that comes in a pan format, similar in size and shape to makeup blush, bronzer, or powder foundation. They are applied using a tool, such as a sponge or blending knife, and are known for their versatility and convenience. One of the distinct advantages of PanPastels is that they produce less dust compared to standard pastel sticks. This makes them a healthier option for artists with respiratory issues, such as asthma or COPD, as they can create art with a reduced risk of inhaling excess pastel dust.

The lower dust quality of PanPastels is particularly notable when compared to traditional pastel sticks, which can create a significant amount of dust during use. This dust is not only a health concern but can also be messy and require more cleanup. With PanPastels, artists can enjoy a more controlled and contained application process, minimising the amount of pastel dust in the air and on their workspace.

The reduced dust feature of PanPastels is especially beneficial for detailed and precise artwork. Artists can work with a cleaner and less cluttered surface, allowing for more intricate techniques and finer details in their creations. The pans' compact nature also contributes to a more organized and efficient workspace, as they take up less space compared to traditional pastel sticks.

Additionally, PanPastels offer a convenient way to store and organise colours. The pans can be stacked and arranged in customisable trays, making it easy for artists to access and select the desired shades quickly. This streamlined approach to colour storage further enhances the overall efficiency and cleanliness of the art process, ensuring that the workspace remains tidy and functional.

In conclusion, the lower dust quality of PanPastels is a significant advantage for artists, particularly those with respiratory concerns. By minimising the amount of dust produced during use, PanPastels offer a healthier, more controlled, and precise alternative to standard pastel sticks. This unique feature, along with their versatility and convenient storage options, makes PanPastels a popular choice for artists exploring the world of pastels and those seeking a more comfortable and mess-free creative experience.

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