Starting out with pastels it can be trial and error to find a pastel paper that you're comfortable with and suits your style. For example working with many layers would not be advised on unsanded paper which has little tooth for the pastels to adhere to the paper. Velour pastel paper gives a smooth quality finish but can be a little less forgiving. Below are some great pastel papers in a variety of tones and textures. You may also want to get a Free 624-page Art Supply Catalog!

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Hahnemühle Bugra Pastel Paper

This paper is mouldmade in Germany. It's a duo-surface paper, with a laid, toothy texture on one side, and a smooth texture on the other, which offers the artist a choice. Hahnemühle Bugra is specifically made for pastels and charcoal, but it works well for pencils, graphite, and other drawing mediums. Sheets are 65 lb (130 gsm) weight, neutral pH, highly lightfast, and measure 33" × 41" (84 cm × 104 cm).


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Wallis Sanded Pastel Paper

Wallis Sanded Pastel Papers, developed by artist Kitty Wallis, have real tooth. You can wet them and scrub them, yet the tooth will not move. The museum grade can withstand more than 25 layers of pastel, and it accepts all mediums. Archival considerations? Only 300 to 500 years. Available in a range of sheet and pad sizes. Professional Grade - A superior sanded paper with a coating of white aluminum oxide grit on pH-neutral (acid-free), 240 gsm cardstock. Museum Grade - A top-of-the-line, sanded pastel paper made from 100% cotton rag paper (acid-free). An extra layer of primer is applied to both surfaces before the application of the aluminum oxide abrasive. Museum grade is suitable for wet techniques, and can be underpainted with water, alcohol, or solvent based media. It is extremely durable and stands up to extensive scrubbing and reworking. 300 gsm. A top-of-the-line, sanded pastel paper made from 100% cotton rag paper (acid-free). An extra layer of primer is applied to both surfaces before the application of the aluminum oxide abrasive. Museum grade is suitable for wet techniques, and can be underpainted with water, alcohol, or solvent based media. It is extremely durable and stands up to extensive scrubbing and reworking. 300 gsm.



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Art Spectrum Colourfix Coated Pastel Paper

It's called "Colourfix" for the obvious reason. This very permanent, lightfast coated paper withstands all manner of artistic experimentation (and even punishment). These papers are used successfully in practically all media - pastels, charcoal, pencil, oils, acrylic, gouache, inks, silverpoint, and even watercolor. The natural toothy surface is ideal for pastels, pencil, or charcoal, as it will hold multiple overlays of color without the need to fix between layers. The absence of fixative allows the velvet bloom and vibrant color of pastel to be preserved. (Apply a final light spray of fixative if desired.) The unique, fine tooth surface is produced by screen printing Art Spectrum Colourfix Primer onto a heavy weight Hot Press watercolor paper. Available in 9" × 12" (229 mm × 305 mm) or 19½" × 27½" (495 mm × 686 mm) sheets. 140 lb (300 gsm). Includes the following 10 cool tones in a 9" × 12" (229 mm × 305 mm) sheet pack: Blue Haze, Deep Black, Deep Ultra, Elephant, Fresh Gray, Leaf Green Dark, Natural, Rose Gray, Storm Blue, and White.




Art Spectrum Colourfix Coated Pastel Paper



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Art Spectrum Colourfix Coated Pastel Paper



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Fabriano Tiziano Paper & Sennelier Pastel Set

A great value, this set contains an 8¼" × 11¼" (21 cm × 29 cm) Tiziano Pad and 20 half-stick Sennelier soft pastels. The 30-sheet pad contains five sheets in each of six "flecked" colors, including: Sea, Tan, Ink, Mist, Slate, and Black. It is 75% cotton, 160gsm. Handmade Sennelier extra-fine soft pastels are creamy smooth.



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Hahnemühle Bugra Pastel Paper Pads

Hahnemühle's Bugra paper is mouldmade in Germany. It's a duo-surface paper, with a laid, toothy texture on one side, and a smooth texture on the other, which offers the artist a choice. Hahnemühle Bugra is specifically made for pastels and charcoal, but it works well for pencils, graphite, and other drawing mediums. The paper is 65 lb (130 gsm), neutral pH, and highly lightfast.



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Canson Mi-Teintes Spiral Pad

This all-time favorite paper, recommended for hard and soft pastels, colored pencils, and gouache, is now available in a spiral pad. The Mi-Teintes Spiral Pad has ultra-smooth glassine slipsheets between each page to protect drawings and prevent smudging. 98 lb (160 gsm).



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Canson Mi-Teintes Pads

Mi-Teintes is a classic French paper with a "vellum" texture on the top side and a flat surface on the reverse, both equally suitable for pastel, oil pastel, chalk, pencil, watercolor, and acrylic. It is a heavy, 98 lb (160 gsm) sheet, with a high rag content (66%) to ensure long life without deterioration. Premium, archival, acid-free Mi-Teintes paper is perfect for very long-lasting scrapbooks and photo albums. It cuts easily, holds a sharp crease, and won't soak up glue. 25-sheet pads (5 sheets each of 5 colors), size 81/2" × 11" in pre-packaged assortments.

To achieve the results you want with pastels there are many ways and tools to help, to get fine detail I've worked with paper rolls and a putty rubber to get right into really small details and add finishing touches.
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Just like choosing the perfect paper to suit you'll find a favourite brand of pastels too. I have another lens under construction about making your own pastels which is coming soon. Below I've listed some quality pastels I'm sure you'll love
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Alphacolor Soft Pastels

Alphacolor Pastels are rich in pigment, with a velvety texture. Individual sticks are 2-3/4" long × 7/16" square, and are arranged in plastic trays. Primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.



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Alphacolor Soft Pastels

Alphacolor Pastels are rich in pigment, with a velvety texture. Individual sticks are 2-3/4" long × 7/16" square, and are arranged in plastic trays. A distinctive collection of 12 natural autumn colors.


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Blick Pastels

Surprisingly good quality at these prices! 3-1/8" long x 7/16" square sticks, shrink-wrapped in stackable black plastic trays.



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Art Spectrum Pastel Sets

These boxed sets of assorted pastels are made in Australia in the classic tradition. They are triple-milled to bring out the finest color of each pure pigment, ensuring a perfect mix and uniform softness. Art Spectrum pastels give the rich, velvety bloom valued by experienced pastellists. Natural soft Art Spectrum pastels are free of heavy metals, asbestos, and other toxic subtances. The sets of 60 and 120 pastels are packaged in attractive wooden boxes with handles. Sets of 15 and 30 pastels are packaged in cardboard boxes.



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Townsend Terrages Pastel Sets

Diane Townsend, a practicing pastel artist in New York City, presents her line of terrages pastel sticks. This pastel line was originally developed to meet the desires of pastel painter Wolf Kahn. Townsend Terrages Sticks are designed to "open" the surface of the paper. Pumice is blended into these pastels. The pumice ploughs through the finish of the paper, creating a toothy surface on which to transfer abundant color. Terrages are made in substantial rectangular slabs by a passionate artist who uses the purest pigments. Additionally, these pastels are not combined with chalks or fillers. Sets of Thin Line Terrages are also available.These sets boast the same quality Diane Townsend Terrage Sticks in a thinner format.