Table of Contents
Utilising Pastels on Canvas
What Techniques Elevate Pastel Art to a Professional Level?
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
Utilising Pastels on Canvas
Pastels are a versatile medium that can be used on a variety of surfaces, including canvas. However, the success of using pastels on canvas largely depends on the type of canvas and preparation techniques. Standard, pre-primed canvases may not hold pastels as effectively due to their smooth finish. However, pastel-specific canvases or canvas boards, such as those found in our collection, are designed with a grainy surface that adheres better to the chalky texture of pastels. If you're using a standard canvas, it's recommended to apply a pastel ground, like Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels, to create a textured surface that can hold the pastel pigments. Remember that pastels require a bit of texture to grip onto, making the choice of surface crucial in your pastel artwork.
What Techniques Elevate Pastel Art to a Professional Level?
Mastering pastels involves more than layering pigment—it’s about technique, control, and thoughtful execution. Artists often use layering to build depth, starting with broad blocks of colour and adding details gradually. Blending with fingers, blending stumps, or soft brushes can create smooth gradients, while crosshatching and scumbling add texture and movement. Fixatives may be used strategically between layers to lock in pigment without over-saturating the surface. Understanding colour theory is also vital in pastel work, as the high pigment load of the medium produces strong, sometimes unexpected results. Combining soft pastels for broad strokes with pastel pencils for highlights can create complex, dimensional pieces. As artists refine their techniques, they gain more control over contrast, composition, and detail—elevating simple pastel sketches into professional, gallery-worthy artwork.
What Tools and Accessories Help Improve Pastel Technique?
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Assorted Portrait
$118.80
Sennelier Oil Pastels
$5.31
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Still Life
$118.76
While pastels can be applied directly by hand, a range of tools and accessories enhance precision, blending, and cleanliness. Blending stumps, tortillons, and soft brushes allow for controlled gradients and fine detail work, especially useful when working in tight areas or with pastel pencils. Erasers, such as kneadable or vinyl types, help lift pigment without damaging the surface—ideal for correcting errors or creating highlights. Fixatives provide essential protection between layers or upon completion, helping to secure pigment without compromising colour integrity. Storage tools like pastel boxes, trays, or foam-lined cases protect sticks from breakage and make organising hues easier. Choosing the right accessories empowers artists to execute advanced techniques with greater finesse, ultimately making pastel work cleaner, more professional, and more enjoyable.
What Soft Pastel Ranges Are Available at The Sydney Art Store?
The Sydney Art Store carries an extensive collection of soft pastels from globally respected manufacturers known for consistency and brilliance. Brands like Sennelier, Unison Colour, and Rembrandt offer creamy textures and strong pigmentation ideal for detailed portraits, landscapes, and atmospheric work. Each pastel set or individual stick is curated to help you achieve smooth blending, strong colour transitions, and layering flexibility. We also stock pastel pencils for fine detail, making it easy to expand your range while staying within the same tonal family. Whether you're building your own palette or selecting from themed sets, The Sydney Art Store provides a spectrum of professional-quality options to meet your artistic needs. For those focused on lightfastness, vibrancy, and application ease, these soft pastel collections offer a premium creative experience.
