Guest Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I've been looking through the list of kit required for one of my classes. It states that I need to buy chalk pastels. I've just been browsing online and have noticed a couple of different types, but no chalk pastels. There's oil pastels - which I know are not what I'm looking for - and soft pastels. Are these also known as chalk pastels? Any advice much appreciated . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plain Talker Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Hecate, there are chalk-y testured pastels, and there are pastels (cheaper-ones IMO) that are really little more than wax crayons in texture. you need to have a nosy at them, before you buy, if at all possible. I got caught out by that in the past:- I bought the waxy, harder ones when I really wanted the softer, chalkier ones. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 Thanks, Plain Talker . I've been having another search and have found a reference to chalk pastels. Apparently they come in soft, medium and hard textures, so the plot thickens. I suspect that the soft pastels are the soft-textured chalk pastels, but I'm not certain. I'm off to a fab art shop in Oakham at the weekend whose staff are brilliant, so I'll get some advice from them too before I splurge on a box of lovely colours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plain Talker Posted September 28, 2006 Share Posted September 28, 2006 I suspect that the ones I was sold were the "hard" ones. it was little better than using a wax crayon, frankly. they were rubbish. I'll have to drag myself off to the art supplies shop, and get myself a pack of the softer ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purdyamos Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 'chalk' pastels mean the dusty type, which can come in hard or soft forms. They have no oil in them at all. Even the 'hard' ones are dusty, just less crumbly. These type of pastels are pure pigment (if you buy good ones) bound together into a dry stick. 'Hard' pastels just have more binder in the mix. Oil pastels are completely different, and will ALWAYS state that they are oil pastels on the packet. Some are waxy, some are quite gooey (and can be used like oil paint if you melt them or blend them with white spirit) but if pastels are simply labelled 'hard' pastels, they are the chalky kind, not oily. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Ah, now that makes sense based on what I've discovered today. I ordered some Winsor and Newton ones this afternoon. I was very tempted to go for the Rembrandt ones, but my doodlings really couldn't do justice to them (or the price!). Thanks . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parcher Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 I agree - oil pastels always say they are just that on the box. They are used quite differently to the chalky variety (I use the oil variety in parchment crafting) but they do vary considerably in their look Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purdyamos Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 Just to add, Hecate, as an old hand that if you like a particular medium it is 100% worth buying the 'artists' quality products as opposed to the student version. The difference is amazing, not just in the final look but the enjoyment of doing. I splashed out on a big box of sennelier pastels, and it's incredibly sensuous, like stroking velvet, and the colours are much more vivid (rembrandt ones are a quality brand too.) I hope you post some examples of your work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 29, 2006 Share Posted September 29, 2006 The Winsor and Newton ones I've ordered claim to be artists' quality. The Rembrandt ones - from what I could tell - appeared to be artists' quality and then some. I noticed the distinction a little while ago when I was investigating watercolour paints. I decided then that I'd go for the more expensive range, as it seemed to be a false economy to buy something which was implicity slightly inferior. The only problem is, if I make a mess, I won't be able to blame it on the materials . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draggletail Posted September 30, 2006 Share Posted September 30, 2006 Just to add, Hecate, as an old hand that if you like a particular medium it is 100% worth buying the 'artists' quality products as opposed to the student version. The difference is amazing, not just in the final look but the enjoyment of doing. I splashed out on a big box of sennelier pastels, and it's incredibly sensuous, like stroking velvet, and the colours are much more vivid (rembrandt ones are a quality brand too.) I hope you post some examples of your work! Just a thought, maybe it's good to experience the 'student' quality as well as the 'artist' quality just so you can fully appreciate the difference What's the old Chinese (?) saying? there's no sweet without sour? Draggle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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