Soft Pastels Box Set - 48 Colors
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Product Information
Full details
This Royal Brush Soft Pastels Box Set is ideal for artists seeking vibrant and blendable color options. Its key benefit is the high quality of finely ground pigments ensuring lasting vibrancy and smooth blending. A potential caveat is that soft pastels can be messy and require fixative for permanence. This set offers 48 full-length pastels, each measuring 63mm x 10mm, designed for professional and aspiring artists.
All features
| Brand | Royal Brush |
|---|
Extended Product Information
FAQs
What is the main difference between soft pastels and oil pastels?
Soft pastels are made from pigment and a binder, creating a chalky texture that blends easily and produces dust. Oil pastels use a wax or oil binder, resulting in a creamier, smoother application with less dust and different blending characteristics.
How do I prevent soft pastel dust from getting on my hands?
Wearing gloves can help, or you can use a palette or holder for the pastel sticks. Always wash your hands after use, and keep your workspace clean.
Can I use these pastels on colored paper?
Yes, soft pastels work very well on colored paper. You can use the paper's color as a mid-tone in your artwork, layering lighter colors for highlights and darker colors for shadows.
What kind of paper is best for soft pastels?
Papers with a slight texture or 'tooth' are ideal, such as pastel paper, watercolor paper (cold press), or sanded paper. These surfaces help the pastel adhere better.
How should I store my soft pastels?
Store them flat in their original box or a dedicated pastel box to prevent them from rolling or breaking. Keep them away from extreme temperatures and humidity.
Are these pastels suitable for children?
While they offer excellent quality, the dust and fragility of soft pastels might make them more suitable for older children or adult artists. Always supervise young children during use.
Do I need a special easel for pastels?
No, a standard easel works fine. However, ensure your workspace is well-ventilated and consider a barrier to protect surfaces from pastel dust.
Troubleshooting
Pastels arrived broken
While breakage can occur during shipping, contact customer support if a significant number of pastels are broken. For minor breakage, the pieces can often still be used by hand or with tools.
Colors appear dull after blending
Ensure you are not over-blending, which can muddy the colors. Try layering lighter colors over darker ones or using a more controlled blending technique. Using a good quality paper with some tooth can also help maintain color intensity.
Artwork smudges easily
This is normal for soft pastels. Ensure the artwork is fully dry and then apply a layer of pastel fixative. Multiple light coats are often more effective than one heavy coat.
Dust is excessive during use
Work in a well-ventilated area. You can also try techniques like dampening the paper slightly or using a pastel primer to help the pastel adhere better and reduce dust.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High pigment load for intense color payoff.
- Excellent blendability for smooth gradients and effects.
- Durable, full-length sticks offer good value.
- Suitable for a wide range of artistic styles and techniques.
- Consistent quality across the set.
Cons
- Soft pastels can be fragile and may break if dropped.
- Dust can be generated during use, requiring a well-ventilated space.
- Artwork created with soft pastels requires a fixative to prevent smudging.
- May not be suitable for very fine detail work without specialized tools.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
Setup: No specific setup is required for these soft pastels. They are ready to use straight from the box.
Compatibility: Royal Brush Soft Pastels are compatible with most paper types designed for pastel or drawing media, including pastel paper, sanded paper, and heavy drawing paper. They can also be used on canvas. They work well with other dry media such as charcoal and colored pencils, and can be layered over or under acrylics or oils (once dry). For best results and permanence, use with a fixative spray designed for pastels.
Care:
- Storage: Store the pastels in their original box or a dedicated pastel storage case to prevent breakage and dust.
- Handling: Handle with care to avoid dropping or excessive pressure, which can cause breakage.
- Cleaning: Keep your hands clean before use to avoid contaminating the pastels. Clean any dust from your workspace regularly. Pastel dust is easily cleaned with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner (use with caution).
- Artwork Preservation: Apply a fixative spray suitable for pastels to finished artwork to prevent smudging and preserve colors. Test fixatives on scrap pieces first to ensure they do not alter the colors significantly.