What are Pan Pastels?
Pan Pastels look like a set of watercolors. Small disks (similar to cosmetic compacts) are filled with a pastel powder. The disks can be stacked or organized in a tray. Applicators are used to apply the pastels to paper. These applicators look similar to palette knives and come in a variety of shapes and sizes similar to paintbrushes (ie: Filbert). The applicator is actually a specially designed “sponge” developed specifically for this product. Larger sponges for covering larger areas are also available. Pan Pastels come in MANY colors, however the basic set of 8 (red, blue, yellow, ochre, light brown, dark brown, white, green) can be mixed to create an infinite number of colors. Unlike traditional stick pastels that are usually used on a specific, toothed pastel paper, Pan Pastels can be applied to textured paper, or smooth paper, even photo paper or printer paper.
Advantages of Pan Pastels
In my experiences with Pan Pastels, I have discovered that Pan Pastels are a very clean medium. They create very little dust, which also makes them less of a health hazard. They also leave your hands very clean, unlike traditional stick pastels. The applicators can be cleaned easily with mild soap and warm water. The Pan Pastels are also very long lasting. Your applicator only needs a few swipes of color to begin and these few swipes will go far in your sketching. I also found that having a variety of applicators also allowed me more control in my drawing by giving me ways to create a variety of textures and line thicknesses. To clean the applicators while changing colors in sketching, all you need to do is wipe the applicator sponge on a scrap piece of paper. Unlike traditional pastels, Pan Pastels do not need a fixative, although choosing to apply a fixative won’t hurt the pastels. In addition, Pan Pastels can be erased.
Disadvantages of Pan Pastels
In my own personal artwork I did not find many disadvantages in working with the Pan Pastels, I really enjoyed them. However, there were a few things I experiences that members of my graduate class who had an opportunity to share them with students also experienced. For example, a few teachers had issues when students over-rubbed and over-swirled the applicators into the pastels. This caused the Pan Pastels to become pitted and also wasted a good deal of pastels. To prevent this, I would recommend illustrating how much pastel is on the applicator by coloring a blank piece of paper with an applicator until it runs out of powder. Teaching students how to use the medium is also important to preventing over-swiping. In addition, students who were overly aggressive with the applicators tore through the sponges on the applicators. They also ended up digging out chunks of pastel from the pans. Teaching students lightly swirl as opposed to jabbing could help prevent this. When cleaning the applicators in between colors, it is important to use a smooth surface to swipe your excess color off. If you choose to use a paper towel I suggest making sure it is very soft; rough paper towels can tear the sponge. The Pan Pastels, although a little pricey, are a good investment. If taken care of they will last a long time.
I hope you found this medium review interesting and insightful.
If you would like any more information on Pan Pastels, please visit the Pan Pastel Website .
Happy Sketching!
Emily