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Choosing between pastel pencils and soft pastels is not simply a matter of preference. It is largely about the level of control, coverage, and expression you want from your materials. Pastel pencils provide greater precision because their cores are protected by a casing and can be sharpened for fine details, crisp lines, and controlled shading. Soft pastels are better suited to broad coverage, smooth blending, and expressive, painterly marks.
Artists often choose between the two based on the effects they want to create. Pastel pencils are well suited to detailed textures, subtle shading, and cleaner sketching. Soft pastels are ideal for luminous color transitions, soft edges, and large, expressive areas.
You do not have to limit yourself to one medium. Many artists use soft pastels to establish broad shapes and color, then add pastel pencils for refined edges and details. Understanding how each medium behaves, which surfaces it works best on, and how it responds to blending will help you select supplies and use them more effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Pastel pencils provide precise control for details, while soft pastels offer rich color and smooth blending.
- The right surface and careful use of fixative can improve control and help protect finished artwork.
- Combining both mediums allows you to balance crisp detail with expressive, painterly effects.
Core Differences in Materials and Composition
Pastel pencils and soft pastels often use similar pigments, but their binders, structures, and handling qualities differ. These characteristics affect how much control they provide, how they should be applied, and the types of marks they produce.
Binder Types and Pigment Load
Soft pastels generally contain a high proportion of pigment with only enough binder to hold the stick together. This composition helps create vivid color and a soft texture, but it also makes the sticks more fragile and likely to produce dust.
Pastel pencils usually contain more binder, which creates a firmer core that is easier to sharpen and less likely to crumble during normal use. The color application may feel less intense than a very soft pastel, but the firmer structure provides greater precision and durability.
Hard pastels fall between pastel pencils and soft pastels. They contain more binder than soft varieties, giving artists a balance of color, strength, and control.
Oil pastels use wax and oil rather than the dry binders found in soft pastels and pastel pencils. As a result, they have a creamy texture and behave differently from dry pastel mediums.
Texture and Feel on Paper
Soft pastels release pigment with very little pressure. The color sits on the surface of the paper in a powdery layer that can be blended with a finger or tool. They cover large areas quickly, but their broad shape makes very fine details more difficult.
Pastel pencils require slightly more pressure because of their firmer cores. Their marks feel similar to those of colored pencils, although they remain softer and more powdery. They produce less loose dust than soft pastels and make it easier to create defined lines.
Hard pastels provide more control than soft pastels but are generally less precise than sharpened pastel pencils.
Format and Durability
Soft pastel sticks are relatively broad and fragile. They may break if dropped or pressed too firmly, and they can leave pigment on the artist's hands and workspace. Many artists accept this messiness because of the medium's rich coverage and blending qualities.
Pastel pencils protect the pastel core with wood or paper. The casing helps keep the artist's hands cleaner and makes the pencils easier to store and transport. Their narrow cores are also better suited to controlled marks and detailed work.
Hard pastels resemble soft pastel sticks but resist breaking more effectively because they contain more binder. Their rectangular shape allows artists to use a corner for narrow lines or the side for broader strokes.
Ease of Use and Precision in Artwork
Pastel pencils are particularly effective when control and detail are priorities. Soft pastels are better suited to broad, loose coverage. Their different blending qualities also influence the working process and final appearance of the artwork.
Detail Work and Line Control
Pastel pencils can produce sharp edges that are difficult to achieve with soft pastel sticks. They are especially useful for eyelashes, fine hairs, small highlights, botanical details, and subtle textures.
A sharpened point allows the artist to place marks accurately and maintain greater control over small areas. This makes pastel pencils a practical choice for portraits, wildlife art, botanical drawings, and other subjects that require precise linework.
Soft pastels can create narrower marks when an edge or broken piece is used, but they do not provide the same consistency as a sharpened pencil. For steady lines and controlled details, pastel pencils are generally the stronger choice.
Coverage for Large Areas
Soft pastel sticks can cover large areas quickly. The side of a stick can block in backgrounds, skies, and broad shapes far more efficiently than a narrow pencil tip.
Soft pastels also deposit a substantial amount of pigment with each stroke, making them useful for larger artwork and fast, expressive applications.
Pastel pencils are less efficient for broad coverage. Filling a large area with a narrow tip takes longer and may create visible strokes. Many artists begin with soft pastels for the main color areas and use pastel pencils later for refinement.
Blending and Layering Techniques
Soft pastels blend readily with light finger pressure or a blending tool. This makes it easier to create smooth gradients, soft transitions, and atmospheric effects. However, excessive blending can flatten the color or reduce the visibility of intentional marks.
Pastel pencils generally require more gradual layering. Artists can build color with light strokes, crosshatching, or circular motions before blending selected areas. This slower process offers more control over where colors merge.
Using both mediums can provide an effective balance. Soft pastels establish rich coverage and broad transitions, while pastel pencils restore crisp edges and add controlled finishing details.
Choosing the Ideal Surface: Paper, Pastel Mat, and Grounds
The surface has a significant effect on control. Soft pastels need enough texture, often called tooth, to hold loose pigment. Pastel pencils also benefit from texture, but an excessively rough surface can make fine lines appear uneven.
Best Surfaces for Soft Pastels
Soft pastels perform best on textured surfaces. Without sufficient tooth, the pigment may slide across the paper, transfer easily, or stop accepting additional layers.
Traditional pastel paper offers a moderate texture and is available in a range of colors. Mid-tone paper can make it easier to evaluate highlights and shadows because the artist is not starting from a bright white surface.
Sanded paper has a more aggressive texture that can hold multiple pastel layers. It supports rich color and extensive reworking, although the rough surface may wear down soft pastel sticks more quickly.
Pastel boards provide a firm, durable surface with enough texture to hold pigment. They are useful for artists who apply heavier pressure or revise their work repeatedly.
Best Surfaces for Pastel Pencils
Pastel pencils work on many of the same surfaces as soft pastels, but smoother pastel papers often provide better results for precise drawing.
Coated pastel surfaces with a fine, even texture can hold several layers while preserving clean pencil lines. They are often well suited to portraits, botanical work, and detailed studies.
Smooth to medium-tooth paper usually provides more control than heavily sanded paper. A finer texture allows the pencil point to move consistently without creating broken or fuzzy marks.
Watercolor paper, particularly cold-pressed paper, can also work for pastel pencils. Its durability supports layering and careful correction, although artists should test the surface before beginning a finished piece.
Pastel Grounds and Specialty Papers
Pastel ground can be applied to paper, canvas, board, or another suitable support to create a textured surface. This allows artists to customize the color and tooth of their working area.
Pastel ground may also be tinted with compatible acrylic color to create a prepared background. Always follow the manufacturer's directions and test the mixture before applying it to a finished support.
Velour paper has a soft, fuzzy surface that holds pastel differently from traditional paper. It is well suited to soft, atmospheric effects but may make sharply defined details more difficult.
Heavily sanded surfaces support thick applications of soft pastel but may wear down pencil points quickly. Artists should use light pressure and test the surface before committing to detailed work.
Blending Tools and Artistic Accessories
Many blending tools can be used with both pastel pencils and soft pastels, but their effectiveness depends on the size of the area and the amount of pigment applied. Pastel pencils often require only selective blending, while soft pastels may need broader tools for smooth transitions.
Blending Stumps and Applicators
Blending stumps and tortillions are tightly rolled paper tools that are useful for controlled blending. Their pointed ends can soften small areas without spreading pigment too far beyond the intended edge.
They are particularly effective with pastel pencils because they allow the artist to blend narrow marks while preserving surrounding detail. With soft pastels, the side of the stump can be used for larger areas, although it may become saturated more quickly.
Small foam applicators provide a softer alternative. They can blend pencil or pastel marks without applying as much pressure to the surface. Keeping separate tools for light and dark colors helps prevent muddy mixtures.
Sponges and Brushes
Sponges are available in different shapes and sizes for applying or blending pastel. Larger wedges are useful for backgrounds, while pointed applicators provide more control in smaller areas.
Short, flat brushes can soften edges and create directional marks while preserving more texture than heavy finger blending. Stiffer brushes may move pigment more firmly into the surface, while softer brushes can lightly feather edges.
Small brushes are generally more practical for pastel pencil work because they allow the artist to protect fine details and blend only selected areas.
Fixatives and Finishing: Securing Your Artwork
Pastel artwork may benefit from fixative, but it should be used carefully. Workable fixative can help stabilize selected layers during the drawing process, while final fixative is intended for use after the artwork is complete. Not every pastel piece requires fixative, and some artists prefer protective framing instead.
Workable and Final Fixatives
Workable fixative can stabilize a pastel layer while leaving enough surface texture for additional applications. It may be useful when pigment is transferring heavily or when the surface is becoming difficult to layer.
Final fixative can reduce smudging during handling and framing. However, some products may darken or reduce the vibrancy of pastel colors. Always test the spray on a separate sample made with the same paper and pastels.
Follow the product label when applying fixative. Use light, even applications in a well-ventilated area rather than saturating the surface. Allow each application to dry fully before evaluating the result or adding another layer.
When to Use Fixatives with Each Medium
Pastel pencils often require less stabilization because their firmer cores leave a thinner layer of loose pigment. Workable fixative may still be helpful when the artist has built up multiple layers or heavily blended an area.
Soft pastel artwork contains more loose surface pigment, but fixative is not always necessary. Many artists frame soft pastel pieces behind glass or acrylic with a spacer or mat that prevents the glazing from touching the artwork.
If fixative is used, applying it selectively or between early layers may help preserve the brightest final marks. Because results vary by product, paper, pigment, and application method, testing is essential.
Comparing Versatility: Other Pastel Types and Hybrid Techniques
Hard pastels, student-grade chalk pastels, oil pastels, and water-soluble pastels offer additional textures and working methods. Combining compatible materials can create effects that are difficult to achieve with one pastel type alone.
Using Hard Pastels and Chalk Pastels for Underlayers
Hard pastel sticks contain more binder than soft pastels, which makes them suitable for preliminary sketches and underpainting. Artists can establish the composition, values, and major shapes before adding softer pastel layers.
Some firmer, student-grade pastels contain more binder or filler and produce lighter, less powdery marks. They can be useful for basic drawing, early layers, and areas that require a firmer edge.
Benefits of using firmer pastels for underlayers include:
- Reduced pigment transfer and smudging.
- Less risk of overfilling the paper's tooth too early.
- Greater control when establishing shapes and values.
- Easier correction during the early stages of the artwork.
The rectangular format also offers versatility. An edge can create a narrow line, while the side can cover a broader area efficiently.
Incorporating Oil Pastels and Water-Soluble Pastels
Oil pastels have a creamy, waxy consistency that differs from dry pastels. They can be used for bold marks, textured accents, and sgraffito, which involves scratching through an upper layer to reveal color underneath.
Oil pastels can sometimes be combined with dry pastel media, but the materials should be tested first because differences in adhesion, surface preparation, and finishing requirements may affect the result.
Some artists blend oil pastels with a compatible solvent. Any solvent must be used according to its safety instructions in a well-ventilated workspace and kept away from heat or open flames.
Water-soluble pastels can be applied dry and then activated with a damp brush to create wash-like effects. They are useful for atmospheric backgrounds and underlayers that can be allowed to dry before dry pastel is added.
Quick look at specialty pastel mediums:
| Medium Type | Compatible Blending Method | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Oil pastels | Oil pastel blending and compatible solvents | Bold marks, texture, and sgraffito |
| Water-soluble pastels | Water and wet brushes | Washes, backgrounds, and mixed media |
Custom Techniques and Mixed Media Approaches
Layering different pastel types can expand the range of available marks. An artist might begin with hard pastels to establish the composition, add soft pastels for broad color, and finish with pastel pencils for controlled details.
Another approach is to create an underlayer with water-soluble pastels, allow it to dry completely, and then apply soft pastel over the surface. Testing is important because different papers and products may respond differently to moisture.
A practical layering order is:
- Hard pastels for the initial sketch and values.
- Soft pastels for broad color and blending.
- Pastel pencils for details and defined edges.
- Oil pastels for selected accents after compatibility testing.
Charcoal, graphite, and acrylic paint may also be incorporated into mixed media work. Compatibility depends on the surface, application order, and finishing method. Small test pieces can help identify problems before the artist begins a larger work.
Buying Tips and Color Choices for Maximum Control
The firmness of the pastel, the available color range, and the format of the set all affect control. Choosing materials according to your subject and working style can help you avoid buying colors or textures that you rarely use.
What to Look for in Pastel Quality
For pastel pencils, look for a core that sharpens consistently, releases color evenly, and is firm enough to hold a useful point. A slightly softer pencil may blend more easily, while a firmer pencil may be better for fine lines.
For soft pastels, consider the balance between softness and control. Very soft sticks provide rich coverage with little pressure, while medium or firmer sticks may be easier to use for initial layers and defined edges.
Before investing in a large set, test individual pencils or sticks when possible. Artists differ in their preferred texture, and a material that feels smooth to one person may feel too soft or too firm to another.
Selecting Pastel Colors and Building Your Palette
Begin with a manageable range of colors and expand it as your needs become clearer. A balanced starter palette should include warm and cool versions of the primary colors, useful neutrals, several earth tones, dark values, and light values.
Pastel color can appear different depending on the surface. A shade that looks vivid on white paper may appear more subdued on toned paper, so test swatches before beginning a finished artwork.
For pastel pencils, prioritize colors that support detailed work, including dark shades for linework, light shades for highlights, and transition colors that complement your soft pastel collection.
Artists who plan to display or sell their work should review available lightfastness information. Select more lightfast pigments when longevity is important, and avoid making durability claims unless the manufacturer provides supporting ratings.
When to Buy Individual Sticks vs. Sets
Sets can provide good value for beginners or artists testing a new type of pastel. A moderate selection offers enough variety to explore different subjects without becoming difficult to organize.
Once you know which colors you use most often, buying individual replacements can be more practical. Portrait artists may use warm neutrals and skin tones more quickly, while landscape artists may need additional greens, blues, and earth colors.
Individual sticks and pencils are also helpful when you need to fill a specific gap in your palette. Although open-stock colors may cost more per item, they can prevent you from repeatedly purchasing sets that contain shades you rarely use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pastel pencils and soft pastels behave differently when handling details, blending colors, preventing smudges, and finishing artwork. The answers below summarize the main considerations.
Which medium is easier to control for fine details such as eyelashes, fur, and crisp edges?
Pastel pencils provide better control for fine details. Their sharpened tips make it easier to draw individual hairs, small highlights, and defined edges. Soft pastels are better for broad areas and are often followed by pencils for final details.
How do you build smooth gradients without creating patchy color or harsh lines?
Soft pastels create broad gradients quickly because they release and blend pigment easily. Pastel pencils require lighter pressure and gradual layering. Build transitions slowly, overlap neighboring colors, and blend only where necessary.
What papers and surfaces provide the best handling and grip for each medium?
Both mediums perform well on textured pastel paper. Soft pastels generally need more tooth to hold loose pigment, while pastel pencils benefit from a fine or medium texture that supports clean lines. Sanded surfaces are useful for heavy layering but may wear down pencil points quickly.
How do blending tools and techniques affect control?
Fingers and larger sponges work well for broad soft pastel areas. Blending stumps, small applicators, and brushes provide more control around edges and details. Avoid excessive blending, which can flatten color and muddy transitions.
How do you prevent smudging and keep your work clean while layering colors?
Place a clean sheet of paper beneath your hand and avoid resting directly on finished areas. Work methodically across the page and remove loose dust with a gentle tap or soft brush rather than wiping it across the surface.
Which finishing steps help protect details without dulling the colors?
Test any pastel fixative on a separate sample because it may darken or dull the colors. Apply only light coats according to the label instructions. Protective framing with a mat or spacer can also prevent the glazing from touching the artwork.