New Pastels

One of the things that I have been mourning lately is the lack of a really good art supply store near where I live. We have some smaller ones here but they don't carry a huge variety, and they are often more expensive than online stores. There is a great store called Blicks that I love and I really wish they would consider starting a store here.  I have been there once, in Ohio. But, it was when I was first getting back into art, and I didn't appreciate the magnitude of their supplies then.
Now that I am getting more into portrait drawing, I decided I wanted to try some of the higher end "artist grade" pastels. I looked at all kinds of reviews, but it really comes down to personal preference. I found a couple of online stores that will send a sample of their top selling pastels to try, though, and that is what I did. I am so glad I tried it. First of all, it was really fun. And it was very helpful. My kids kind of laughed at me "ooh"ing and "aaah"ing at the various consistencies. They were good sports when I had them try it too - to see what I was so excited about.

This is what my kitchen table looked like yesterday. I pulled out all of my types of papers, including the new pad I just bought (called Pastelmat - great ratings on this, so I figured I had better check it out). I had 14 pastels to try. Some I immediately did not like - including a brand that is supposedly the most primo and most expensive brand out there. It was really gritty and I just didn't like it at all. But some were SO smooth. If you have never used pastels, it is hard to explain the difference. Some were gritty, some barely "caught" on the paper, making a really rough textured look, some felt very chalky, and some just felt amazing. There is one brand in particular that I truly love. When I drew with it, I immediately said, "oh wow!" Unfortunately, it is about twice the cost as most because it comes in half sticks instead of full sticks, but costs roughly the same as the others. And, because it is so unbelievably soft, I am afraid they would get used up really fast.  Maybe if my business really takes off....
In the mean time, I  narrowed it down to four brands. Then I looked at prices and color availability and decided on Sennelier. Supposedly the guy who designed them, Mr. Sennelier himself, made them for Degas back in 1887, and they kept the same formula. Of course, some other pastel company claimed something similar, so I don't really know if it is true.
I also plan to get some nupastels - a mid-level harder pastel that is also a good brand (and more affordable).
And the paper - wow - what a difference. This new paper is beautiful. Again, unless you have used them, it may be harder to tell a difference, but this paper absorbs the pastels into the paper and makes a smooth vibrant color come through. I love it.
I am excited to try out these new supplies and see how it really is doing a portrait with them!  Fun stuff!