Table of Contents
Getting Started with Pastels: A Guide for Beginners
How Can Artists Preserve and Protect Pastel Artwork?
How Do Artists Approach Colour Selection When Working With Pastels?
How Do Artists Approach Colour Selection When Working With Pastels?
Getting Started with Pastels: A Guide for Beginners
The Sydney Art Store is dedicated to supporting your artistic journey with our curated collection of art supplies. Whether you're just starting with pastels or looking to refine your skills, our range of top-quality products and knowledgeable customer service is here to assist.
How Can Artists Preserve and Protect Pastel Artwork?
Because pastels sit on the surface rather than binding with it, preservation is a crucial step in working with this medium. One of the most important protective measures is using a fixative spray, which helps prevent smudging and fading while maintaining the vibrancy of the colours. However, fixatives must be applied lightly and evenly to avoid darkening delicate tones. Proper storage is also essential—pastel works should be stored flat, between acid-free sheets or mounted with protective matting to prevent contact with the glass. Framing under glass, preferably with spacers or a mat board, protects the artwork from dust, moisture, and accidental smearing. Artists committed to long-term preservation also consider archival surfaces and lightfast pastel brands. These precautions ensure pastel pieces retain their character, detail, and impact for years to come.
How Do Artists Approach Colour Selection When Working With Pastels?
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Assorted Portrait
$118.80
Sennelier Oil Pastels
$5.31
Sennelier Oil Pastel Set 24 Still Life
$118.76
Colour selection plays a crucial role in pastel art, especially given the medium’s high pigment concentration. Because blending can be less forgiving than with wet media, artists often build a palette before starting, selecting complementary tones, neutrals, and accents. Brands vary in colour range and lightfastness, so many artists experiment across lines to find their ideal set. Tinted surfaces also influence colour perception; for instance, using a grey or sand-toned paper can mute high-saturation tones for a more balanced result. Pastel layering—starting with muted base layers and building toward highlights—requires thoughtful colour progression. Artists also factor in how warm or cool tones interact, especially when developing depth and contrast. Mastering colour harmony with pastels enhances realism, mood, and visual cohesion across any subject.
Why Do Artists Choose The Sydney Art Store for Their Pastel Supplies?
The Sydney Art Store is trusted by professional and emerging artists alike for its exceptional range of pastels and pastel accessories. With carefully selected brands known for high pigment load, lightfastness, and performance, we offer both soft and oil pastel options suitable for a wide range of techniques. Whether you’re seeking velvety soft pastels for delicate layering or richly pigmented oil pastels for bolder strokes, our product range supports both traditional and contemporary styles. We also provide quality surfaces and fixatives, allowing you to complete pastel pieces from start to finish using professional-grade tools. With a focus on providing top-tier products and materials, The Sydney Art Store ensures you have everything you need to bring your pastel artworks to life.
