What Pastel Paper Should I use?

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[charlottewells]

Am I the only one who would buy and paint on Kleenex if he recommended it? What a voice! Thanks Alain for this info!

[maugha]

Hi Alain: About two years ago, I wrote a short note to you, thank you for your excellent tutorials and I wanted to thank you once again. Pastel painting is now the air that I breathe and keeps me always wanting more. It's been 3 years now that Pastels have kept me alive. Sometimes my instructor has to 'be my hands' as my peripheral neuropathy can be depilating. I now have 9 Paintings under my belt and about 5 on a waiting. It's taken longer as my cancer can keep me weeks to get back up and running. I purchased the 3M glue and watched your mounting video. I plan on mounting about 10 boards today.

I just wanted to say thank you once again

[suemiller]

Thanks for your views on paper. I haven’t tried Uart but my favourite is Art Spectrum Colourfix paper. I love the range of colours as I don’t like to start on a white sheet and I use the primer.

[dixiestovern]

Best explanation of paper for pastels I have ever heard. Pastels are so new to me…. I really appreciate it! Thank you so much! 10:31

[normabishop]

Thank you for being so generous with your expertise--and so enthusiastic and positive!

[krakentowa]

Hi Alain. I'm new to pastel painting and come from using watercolours for the last few years. I found this video very helpful. I have a steep learning curve in this new medium. I am really enjoying it.

[staceg]

I'm teaching myself soft pastels, with the help of you and other artists who are generous with YouTube content. Wanted to say Thank you for that!

This video is so helpful, especially in regard to what solvents the various papers can stand up to for underpaintings (I've not yet tried a wet underpainting, only hard pastel drawings). I've tried several papers, and find sanded papers (Pastelmat, Pastel Premier, UArt) are my favorites, although I do really enjoy the Strathmore toned sketchbooks and Canson Mi-Teintes. I love to watch the pictures 'emerge' from the toned backgrounds in the Strathmore sketchbooks.

[juststartingover]

I recently purchased a sanded paper and I am amazed at the difference! Thank you for your demonstrations and product reviews. Always helpful.

[Magical_Forest-]

I am just getting more absorbed into pastels and really understanding that the paper makes the biggest difference

I just bought some lux archival sheets and they are so amazing; The paper is a teacher in itself because it allows you to experiment more with layering and blending

[byte]

Great advice. Clear explanation of the differences. Thank you.

[bluewren]

What a wonderful video. I'm new to oil pastel and boy is this a fun medium! My frustration with most of these specialty papers is that it's a nightmare to find anything bigger than 50 cm x 70 cm. I like doing very large works in alcohol markers. It took me a long time to find very large (larger than A1 size) bristol board that is both archival and acid free. I eventually found some from an industry printing paper supplier and it is better than anything available in art stores for use with markers. Also because it's not an "art supply" it's wonderfully cheap (about $4 AUD in 420 gsm). I'm in Australia and I had no idea that art spectrum made that pastel gesso. This is fantastic news as it means I can use the large boards that I use my for marker works and get a top quality pastel paper in whatever colour I choose in whatever size I choose. Thanks so much.

[jmstend]

Wow thanks. I watched two videos. Paper and pastel types. Been working with artists that have told me all this info and shared supplies with me but now listening to you it all came together. There is so much to learn and I’ve worked with only two lessons. They make me so nervous. I worked alongside your video on portraits and I liked my work.
Just thank you and if I ever find time from being a caregiver I’ll e back to work. I love pastels. J

[davidhoque]

Thanks so much Alain! I always enjoy your formative pastel posts. I think you are so selfless with your coaching and support of the greater pastel community. God Bless you Sir.

[percythompson]

Just found you...have been using pastel for 10 years ..you are breath of fresh air...letting me know that I am on the right road.THANK YOU

[marktaylor]

Thanks for sharing all this information. I know this video is about 5 years old, but it seems that most, if not all the papers, are still availlable. When I started working in pastels in the 80s, I didn't know anything and just used large sheets of Strathmore laid paper I got as paper samples from paper companies. I worked as a graphic designer, and the paper reps handed out samples like Halloween candy. Anyway, I haven't painted with pastels since then and now that I'm retired, I'm wanting to get back into painting and I appreciate all your knowledge and help. I dug out my pastels I had and they are old Grumbacher sets. I don't think they even make them anymore.

[TheJoan]

Thank you so much, Alain. I knew nothing about pastel papers and now after this short video I have a good understanding of what I need. I'm so grateful for this knowledge. I was about to use watercolor paper I have on hand but now i know better. I'm new at pastels being an oil painter all my life. I'm tired of waiting for paint to dry and love the intense colors of pastels. I'm so excited, now I need some nice coated sanded mounted paper to work on!! Thanks again, Love, Joan Williamson

[jamesfrancis]

Thanks for another great video, Mr. Picard!
In addition to the great products that you listed, another surface that I enjoy is Ampersand Pastelbord. It’s a coated board that comes in a variety of colors and sizes with a fine tooth. In my opinion, it’s quality and very affordable.
It’s a very rigid board similar to MDF. It takes all manner of washes and can even be run under a faucet to completely clean it off for “do overs”.

[Saryanavat]

Still learning before starting to make pastels my major hobby. Thanks for the tips for the best products.

[MissTinaTv]

Thanks for another great video. I use a lot of Pastelmat, La Carte, and velour for my wildlife works. Another super sanded paper: Fisher 400. Now I will have to give Uart a whirl. If it's your numero uno, then it must be pretty darn good. Thanks again

[patricialindley]

Hi there...great video...well organized and I concur with all your comments 🙂 The only couple of minor points I would have added is that Sennelier Lacarte (the first sanded paper I encountered) shouldn’t be used for plein air work. Sometimes it rains and bitter experience has shown me that a great piece can rapidly descend into a mess of white blobs if it does. You talk about washes and that is all true. Sometimes Mother Nature gives you an unintended wash. Also, I find that Uart paper can sometimes accept pastel unevenly, especially if you are using a light touch. An underpainting helps but if you like to use the gold colour as a toned surface and hence want to build up light layers I find that it can be resistant to an even application. I very much enjoy your presentations. Your calm delivery makes it easy to follow and retain the information.