Pastel Drawing Tips: Choose a Surface, Build Layers and Clean Up

Pastel gives you colour quickly, but the paper does much of the work. Before buying a pad, look at its tooth—the texture that holds pigment—and decide whether you want the paper colour to show through. A rougher surface can hold more layers; a smoother sheet may suit a lighter touch. The right choice depends on your marks and the particular pastel.

Try three small swatches on one sheet: a light touch, a firmer mark and a second colour layered on top. Sennelier’s notes on pastel card and surface texture describe why tooth matters. Keep the sample so you can compare paper before starting a larger drawing.

Set out only a few colours at first. A limited palette makes it easier to judge value and keep the first layers open rather than filling every part of the paper. Paper tone also changes colour relationships, so try the same three marks on light, mid-tone and dark sheets before buying a full pad.

Build the drawing in light stages

Begin with a loose map of the large shapes, then add broad colour before small details. Use a light touch so the paper can accept later marks. Step back now and then: if everything has the same strength, choose a few areas to soften or leave untouched. Blend with a clean tool or fingertip only when that effect suits the material, and check the pastel maker’s advice for the colours you use.

Pastel can leave loose pigment on the page and work area. Keep food and drink away from the drawing, avoid blowing dust into the air, and clean the surface gently using safe studio practices and local guidance. The Pastel Society of America studio guidelines offer further handling and cleanup context; follow the current instructions for your products and workspace. If you want to record paper tests over time, try these art journal ideas.

Make a useful first session

Choose one subject, one paper and four or five colours. Make a few test marks in the margin, block in the main shapes, then pause before adding detail. If the paper is filling too quickly, use a fresh sheet rather than pressing harder. For artists who like to combine drawing with other materials, our mixed media guide explains how to test layers, while the canvas guide helps compare firmer supports.