Working with pastels can be a fun, joyful experience. They can hugely change the look and feel of your drawings, especially on certain papers. If you prefer pastels for your art medium, you will certainly need the best paper for the best results.
Getting your artistic ideas down is much easier if you have a good supply of top-quality paper. This is especially important if you are beginning your pastel journey and want to experiment with different ideas.
There are many options available such as colored, textured paper specially made for pastels. There are also the traditional laid paper types, preferred by those who sketch portraits.
In this article, we will discuss all the types of paper best suited for pastel so you can determine which is best for your style.
With many options and styles to choose from, it can be hard to decide on the right one for your needs. Although it typically comes down to personal preference, we want to help you in your quest for the best pastel paper.
We have gathered 5 of the best papers for pastels. We have also created a buyer’s guide to help you understand what to look for when purchasing new paper for your pastels. We will finish off with a FAQs section to answer any common queries that you may still have.
Can’t wait to become the next Edgar Degas? If you’re in a hurry, here is our top pick:
Contents
Strathmore 400 Series Pastel Pad
Coming in four different shades of light blue, light gray, off-white, and tan, you will be able to experiment with your imagination for a mixture of effects.
You won’t have to stick to one medium with this paper either. Not only does this paper work well for pastels but it is compatible with graphite pencils, colored pencils, and charcoal.
If you like to take your art kit around with you, the Strathmore 400 Series could be your worthy companion. It is small and lightweight for easy storage and transport. Suddenly get a burst of inspiration and pull out the pad for instant art.
The Strathmore 400 Series has a wonderfully rough texture so soft pastels hold up very well on the surface. The durable nature of this paper will withstand one or two layers of oil pastels for even more experimenting.
You may know that some paper can discolor the pastels after some time. There is no such problem here as this paper is completely acid-free keeping the drawings from turning a yellow shade.
Despite its more affordable price tag, the Strathmore 400 Series does not compromise on quality.
Pros:
- Very compact and lightweight for easy transportation and storage
- Extremely versatile paper that can be used in a variety of mediums and certain styles
- Paper is acid-free to prevent your drawings from discoloring after some time
- Can withstand a few layers of oil pastels
- Excellent value for money without compromising on quality
Cons:
- The tooth of the paper isn’t quite deep enough to hold chalk details very well
Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad, Assorted Colors
If you prefer using oil pastels, look no further. The Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad allows you to sketch layer after layer, holding superbly, and keeping the depth of your colors intact.
This displays the paper’s durability as even three layers of pastel oils won’t damage or affect the paper whatsoever. Artists have said it feels like you’re working with real oil paints as the blending and mixing of colors is a breeze.
The Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad differs from many pads with its double-sided surface. One side has a vellum finish meaning it looks smooth but has a fine, evenly applied surface.
The opposite side is completely flat for different mediums of art to be used. If you want to experiment, you can use chalk pencils, acrylic paints, and watercolors on this paper with great effect.
The Mi-Teintes Pastel Pad extenuates the subtle colors of a piece of art such as steel gray and light blue. These will turn your piece from dull colors into vibrant artwork.
Whether you like to work on portrait or landscape backgrounds, the colored paper of this pad is equally effective. The surface will look more convincing without the need to color the entire surface.
Pros:
- Multipurpose pastel pad that is suitable for a variety of dry and wet mediums
- Dual-surfaced paper with one vellum finished side and a smoother texture on the other
- Acid-free and steadfast paper to keep your colors vibrant
- Very durable paper allowing layers of oil pastels without being damaged
- Various pulp level colored paper for longevity
Cons:
- Pad only contains 24 pieces of paper
Canson Drawing Mi-Teintes Paper Pad
It comes with 24 gelatin-sized papers and the Mi-Teintes paper is popular with artists all around the world for its lightfastness properties and ability to withstand any light exposure that could fade or discolor the art.
You will love the thickness of this paper at 160 gsm and its texture made out of 50 percent cotton.
A highlight of this pad is its sheer versatility. You won’t have to stick to soft pastels or oil. You can use certain gouache paints on its glossy matte finish.
If you love sketching portraits, you will love the Canson Drawing Mi-Teintes Paper Pad. Its black, dual-textured surface is perfect for attaining detailed sketches.
One side of the paper has a lighter finish and texture to help you gain wonderful effects in your drawing. The opposite side has a darker, rougher feel. This is great for sketching shadows effortlessly and using subtle layered colors.
All colored papers in this pad are acid-free to prevent your colors from fading and for longevity so you will be able to admire your artwork for years to come.
Pros:
- Paper is gelatin-sized and made from 50 percent cotton
- Dual-textured finishes with heavy and light surfaces
- Suitable for a variety of styles and mediums to experiment with
- Acid-free paper for longevity and will prevent your colors from fading
Cons:
- Pad only comes with 24 sheets so it may run out before you’d like
UART Sanded Pastel Paper M-148931
UART Sanded Pastel Paper is the only paper that offers seven grades at this current time. This allows you to work in coarse and the finest grits for a variety of styles.
This 400-grade paper has a fine, almost sand-like color and is made with a computer-controlled electrostatic coating process for a consistent application of grain.
You’ll have no problem using charcoals or soft pastels on this paper as they both work wonderfully smoothly and blend superbly together.
A lot of paper leaves dust behind from pastels or chalk but this is easy to clean, leaving little dust on the surface.
Compared to many pastel papers, you will find your colors will stand out vividly on UART’s for an intensive, vibrant piece of art.
You’ll be able to layer different levels of oil pastels without using any fixative. This paper’s texture is hugely durable and reliable that is suitable for a variety of wet media options.
The grit of the paper is water-resistant and will hold your layers firmly without smudging the colors.
Pros:
- PH neutral and acid-free for long-lasting results and no decolorization
- Has seven grades (the most on the market currently) from 240 to 803
- Works perfectly with various wet media if you want to use underpainting styles
- You won’t need any fixatives when using pastel oil as the grit holds your multiple layers superbly
- Leaves minimal dust behind and is easy to clean
Cons:
- Little more expensive compared to many brands with only 10 sheets in the pack
Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad
These papers refuse to distort or shrink and the side’s wire makes it an easy pad to open, fold, and lay perfectly flat to sketch in.
Although each page is placed on top of another, you shouldn’t suffer from any bleed-through from previous works.
You can use wet and dry materials on this paper to great effect. If you want to mix things up and use some watercolors, go ahead!
You will find the Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad enhances the watercolor’s vibrancy helping your artwork stand out.
The texture of the paper is fine but heavyweight and allows you to erase or blend your media easily. Aside from pastel, you can use colored pencils and markers to create masterpieces in this pad.
The pad contains a generous 60 sheets of 160-gram acid-free paper. You will be able to use this pad for a good amount of time, depending on how much you sketch of course.
Its fine texture is easy to clean so you don’t have to worry about dust getting everywhere. For a sturdy, high-quality pastel pad, the Canson XL Series Mix Paper Pad combines performance with value for money.
Pros:
- Very sturdy fine-textured paper for delicate and harder artwork
- Suited for both wet and dry media
- Contains 60 sheets of acid-free paper for prolonged, reliable use
- Sheets are a good size measuring 7 inches by 10 inches each
- Fine texture paper allows for easy cleaning and minimal fuss
Cons:
- Not best suited for multiple layers of markers
Buyers Guide
Before you pick up those pastels and create your masterpiece, there are a few things to consider first. To help you understand what to look for in a good quality paper, we have made a guide below.
We will help you through the considerations and decisions you’ll need to make when buying new pastel paper.
The paper’s surface texture
Pastel paper is exciting as there are many kinds of surface textures to choose from. These are typically referred to as the “tooth” of the paper.
The rougher the paper, the more tooth it has. When buying paper for pastels, you need to consider the tooth of the paper to determine how your artwork will turn out.
The various textures to choose from are:
- Laid or Ingres
- Dimpled or honeycomb
- Gritty
- Velour
Laid or Ingres has a unique surface. You can determine the characteristics of Ingres paper by feeling the grid line or pattern on the paper’s surface.
This type of paper is very popular with many pastel artists as it is easy to make and very affordable. Ingres paper allows you to blend colors easily and smoothly.
The detail usually stands out more because of the larger gaps between the valleys and peaks on the surface. You can cover these gaps by rubbing another layer of pastel.
Dimpled or honeycomb surfaces are similar to Ingres apart from its honeycomb pattern as opposed to a criss-cross pattern. This is another affordable option but slightly more expensive than Ingres paper. It doesn’t let you layer as much or blend as easily but is on par with Ingres.
Gritty papers feel more like sandpaper but a little softer. This harder texture means the pastel grips evenly and better, even with vibrant layered colors.
Gritty papers are more expensive and should only be considered if you are doing artwork for a project or exhibition. It is recommended you practice on cheaper paper types before moving onto gritty papers.
Velour paper surfaces are velvety and smooth. Although feeling too soft, pastels stick to it wonderfully well. This is the most expensive paper in the range and takes more time to get to grips with so you should only consider it when you are confident enough in your skills.
The thickness of the paper
You may see the term GSM when a paper’s thickness is referred to. This stands for “grams per square meter”.
The thicker or heavier papers are regarded as having higher numbers. Papers for pastel need to be at least 175 GSM for easy use.
The surface color
It is great fun using different colored surfaces with pastels. They can help bring your ideas to life.
Backgrounds can be easy to produce with the right colors and if you are a novice with pastels, you should experiment with different colors to see which ones you prefer.
Technique
Different papers suit different techniques. It is important to find the right paper type to suit your needs. If you intend on practicing your blending skills, it is recommended you use Ingress paper.
To practice your layering, try gritty paper for its hard texture. If you are feeling brave or are more advanced, velour paper is probably the best bet for you.
The pricetag
You will need to think carefully about your budget, especially if you are a beginner. Expensive soft paper for pastel is not the best choice for newbies.
You should buy the most affordable type of paper, such as Ingres, to develop your skills. As your skill levels increase, you can then go for other, more expensive paper types. Keeping a budget in mind will save you time and, of course, money.
The balance
You should consider the balance of your artwork before opting for a certain tooth of the paper.
You want enough tooth for your pastels to grip but not one that is too rough for you to be restricted. You will find this right texture with more experience.
Adding your own texture
You can add your own texture to your paper if required. You can do this by priming it with gesso that is mixed with sand or golden pastel ground.
This is suitable for artists who like to create their personal textures. Beginners shouldn’t consider this as the textures available are more than sufficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I look after the paper for long-lasting use?
Caring for your paper should be an integral part of your art. Well looked after paper can help you produce wonderful art pieces whenever you feel like it.
You should always keep the paper away from water as it can affect its quality. The tooth of the paper can become softer affecting the technique you may be striving for.
You should also keep your paper away from hot objects as this can stain and curve your paper, ruining it completely.
Finally, it is recommended you keep your pastel paper inside an envelope or plastic cover. This will keep its quality and will prevent any marks.
What are the best brands?
Some of the most well-known brands are Strathmore, Canson, Arteza, Art Spectrum, Speedball, and Faber Castell.
Each is known for their quality papers but it is down to you, the artist, to decide which is best for your techniques.
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