Great video. Thankyou. For anyone who wants to try out a variety of different Sanded pastel papers, Jacksons art in the UK sells Sample quarter sheet packs (larger than A4) of seven different types of sanded pastel papers, including UART 400grit), Pastelmat, Canson Mi-Tientes, Hahnemuhle, Sennelier, Art Spectrum and Tim Fisher. It’s a less expensive way to try out things for yourself as not everyone likes using the same thing.
Great video, though would love to see you do an updated one with the Smooth Colourfix now available widely. I don't consider Pastelmat sanded-it is a composite paper with cellulose but seriously different than sanded paper like Luv Archival or UArt. Also I would consider only Velour as velvety but not any of the ones you reviewed. I love sanded paper, but not a big fan of Pastelmat but mainly because my application process. I use pastel alcohol underlayer and then a Poly Chromos color pencil top layer (which acts like pastel when used on sanded). Pastelmat requires so many layers to look good and then suddenly you have to figure out a way to finish because the tooth is covered. I would rather just work on sanded paper to be able to get lots of layers because it comes together in a way I can see results sooner or just use a lower priced product that takes less layers and just figure out how to get what I want in fewer layers. I just don't like the experience of Pastelmat but I know I am very much in minority. After I am more experienced I might like it better but for now I really love combing both pastel and colored pencils on Sanded Papers. It's so inexpensive to make with clear gesso on just about any good quality art paper.
I’m on a limited budget, & I am not a professional. However, I did want to put in a plug for using Strathmore watercolor paper as an option for pastel painting. I use it for watercolor of course, but as I like mixed media and toned paper, I know this is never a problem when I create WC under paintings. I use it wet and dry , often using both w’color, soft pencils, Nupastel & soft pastels together. The cold-press 140lb is tough enough to handle layering & the availability & low cost are very welcome on my fixed income!
I know this is an older video but it's excellent. Paper is so confusing. I'm also a very amateur artist with minimal skill so Uart sounds like a great fit for me. Thank you.
This was so helpful, and I really enjoyed actually seeing how the pastels worked with each brand of paper. What I learned is that a real artist (you!) can use anything, and make beautiful art! I am just beginning, and need to utilize every available advantage. I will definitely be ordering some Uart sanded paper. Thank you so much!
Very helpful video thanks. You can scrub the Pastelmat down too under the tap. It also takes any wet media. I think the Uart can take a little more abuse though. 🙂
Hi Lauren this was helpful. I use the Canson Mi tientes paper (smooth side) for oil pastels and have no problem with applying a underpainting with gamsol.
THANK YOU MA'AM LAUREN FOR MAKING THIS VERY HELPFUL VIDEO FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE BEST PAPER FOR MY PASTEL CREATIONS BECAUSE I AM OR I HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY AN INK ARTIST FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES NOW AND I AM TRYING OUT A NEW SHANDRA IN ART WITH PASTELS BECAUSE I TRIED PAINTING BUT, IT IS NOT MY THING I GUESS BECAUSE I LIKE TO HAVE MORE CONTROL WITH MY CREATIONS AND A PAINT BRUSH JUST DOES NOT DO IT FOR ME BUT, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN MA'AM LAUREN BECAUSE THIS GRUNT MARINE MACHINE GUNNER HERE APPRECIATES THIS VIDEO OF YOURS AND I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN TO MUCH OF YOUR TIME
Holy bleep! I immediately took a piece of uart I had been testing out off and on for the last 3 years and rinsed it off. Most of the pastel came off, but the colored pencil didn't. Still, I'm going to attempt to work on the top of all of that leftover mess. thanks for that tip!
superb review. def interested in the watercolour paper review. also do you have any extra info re toning paper with a light wash (beyond the bead). i get buckled paper everytime. i can manage a smooth wash on cold pressed but as im using dry media ontop, hot pressed is preferable but wayyyy harder to not have strippy overlaps and pigment moving if/when the paper buckles. its a very fine line.
Very helpful video thanks.as a beginner to pastels this was brilliant and to me the UART apple was the best, i have 1000grit in my drawer but asking what grit would you use for an animal portrait in colored pencil...and also pastel pencil? as asked before ,cheers
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thanks Lauren, i just went to Jackson's and they had a variety pack of 7 different 1/4 sheets of sanded papers to try so i added them onto my next Jackson's order and i look forward to giving them a go. I've already got a whole bunch of watercolour papers as i'm just swapping over to pastels from watercolour. So i'll give them all a try as well. Keep well. Stan
If you want to use ink or watercolour washes on Canson, you need to go really old school. Stretch it like watercolour paper on a board with gummed tape. That's how illustrators and designers worked with it for years, before pastel board and sanded papers.
Eva Dostie The pastels ranged from hard/firm to medium softness (pastel pencils, prismacolor nupastels, and richenson hand rolled pastels). In the areas I didn’t want the texture of the paper showing I blended it in with little sponge and that filled in the holes). Which pastels do you have?
@@LaurenWatkinsArt I have nupastels and a few rembrantd and Unison. I will definitely try with a bit of water and sponge. I have tried alcohol which works but I was hoping to avoid and extra step. Thank you!
Ok. So Rembrandt pastels still fall In the hard category. So if you want to be able to fill in the texture without blending I would recommend getting some of softer brands of pastels. Mount vision, jack richenson, or terry ludwig could help with that. But then you run the risk of filling in the tooth of the paper earlier than you want so you have to use a light hand as you build your layers.
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thank you so much. I am expecting some for christmas and I think I might make them Terry Ludwigs. Meanwhile I’ll live with the texture. It’s just practice anyway!
Thanks for this. Very through and detailed review of the papers. And some beautiful art creating to watch while listening. A question about the UArt paper. I just bought a bunch and then saw from another youtube artist that UArt Paper is acid free on the front but not on the back - do you know more about this? And if so, do you think it will affect the long term archival quality of the artwork? Curious to get thoughts of experienced artists. Thanks.
Art is Kalai I have not heard of this. Everything I have read on it and experienced with Uart paper is that it’s Archival and that it’s ph neutral/acid-free. I know a lot of professional artists that use it and I doubt they would use it if it wasn’t archival.
Be careful when ordering thinner paper from blicks, I ordered 20 sheets of fabriano tiziano and every single piece had finger dents ALL over it! The paper was unusable. I can't believe they shipped that to me, I was so disappointed. I had to haggle with them to get all my money back.
Cons For me: Pastelmat - not so punchy, can fill tooth fast, warping, difficult to erase and blend Colourfix: texture is seen despite full blending...that's horrible
I find dickblick.com to be a wonderful high quality art supply source. I have shopped with them for over 30 years. Their customer service is awesome. My city of 60,000 people does not have even one art supply store, just hobby stores.
Great video. Thankyou. For anyone who wants to try out a variety of different Sanded pastel papers, Jacksons art in the UK sells Sample quarter sheet packs (larger than A4) of seven different types of sanded pastel papers, including UART 400grit), Pastelmat, Canson Mi-Tientes, Hahnemuhle, Sennelier, Art Spectrum and Tim Fisher. It’s a less expensive way to try out things for yourself as not everyone likes using the same thing.
Fabulous review. So much work. Thank you. It was really helpful for me, a very newby.
Great video, though would love to see you do an updated one with the Smooth Colourfix now available widely. I don't consider Pastelmat sanded-it is a composite paper with cellulose but seriously different than sanded paper like Luv Archival or UArt. Also I would consider only Velour as velvety but not any of the ones you reviewed. I love sanded paper, but not a big fan of Pastelmat but mainly because my application process. I use pastel alcohol underlayer and then a Poly Chromos color pencil top layer (which acts like pastel when used on sanded). Pastelmat requires so many layers to look good and then suddenly you have to figure out a way to finish because the tooth is covered. I would rather just work on sanded paper to be able to get lots of layers because it comes together in a way I can see results sooner or just use a lower priced product that takes less layers and just figure out how to get what I want in fewer layers. I just don't like the experience of Pastelmat but I know I am very much in minority. After I am more experienced I might like it better but for now I really love combing both pastel and colored pencils on Sanded Papers. It's so inexpensive to make with clear gesso on just about any good quality art paper.
I’m on a limited budget, & I am not a professional. However, I did want to put in a plug for using Strathmore watercolor paper as an option for pastel painting.
I use it for watercolor of course, but as I like mixed media and toned paper, I know this is never a problem when I create WC under paintings.
I use it wet and dry , often using both w’color, soft pencils, Nupastel & soft pastels together. The cold-press 140lb is tough enough to handle layering & the availability & low cost are very welcome on my fixed income!
This was a very helpful video; thank you! I love the way you explained everything and enjoyed watching you draw each apple. Your style is lovely.
I know this is an older video but it's excellent.
Paper is so confusing. I'm also a very amateur artist with minimal skill so Uart sounds like a great fit for me. Thank you.
Thanks for this video! Would like to see sunflower soft pastel drawings
Thanks! This is a HUGE help. I'm just getting back to my art after many years and needed this detailed tour. :D
I am so glad you found this helpful.
This was so helpful, and I really enjoyed actually seeing how the pastels worked with each brand of paper. What I learned is that a real artist (you!) can use anything, and make beautiful art! I am just beginning, and need to utilize every available advantage. I will definitely be ordering some Uart sanded paper. Thank you so much!
Very helpful video thanks. You can scrub the Pastelmat down too under the tap. It also takes any wet media. I think the Uart can take a little more abuse though. 🙂
This was very helpful. There are so many kinds out there.
I am glad it helped!
Hi Lauren this was helpful. I use the Canson Mi tientes paper (smooth side) for oil pastels and have no problem with applying a underpainting with gamsol.
What a fantastic informative video! Thank you Xx
Thank u for this helpful video ❤
Art spectrum colour fx now comes in a smooth texture. It could be well worth trying out.
Thanks for the update! Will will have to get some on my next order!
Pretty cool. Had no idea you were doing you tube. Keep up the good work.
Very Helpful - Thanks!!
I feel heavy sanded papers go well with soft pastels and pastelmat or texture paper goes with pencils
UART sanded papers are best for me especially dark p500
THANK YOU MA'AM LAUREN FOR MAKING THIS VERY HELPFUL VIDEO FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND THE BEST PAPER FOR MY PASTEL CREATIONS BECAUSE I AM OR I HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY AN INK ARTIST FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES NOW AND I AM TRYING OUT A NEW SHANDRA IN ART WITH PASTELS BECAUSE I TRIED PAINTING BUT, IT IS NOT MY THING I GUESS BECAUSE I LIKE TO HAVE MORE CONTROL WITH MY CREATIONS AND A PAINT BRUSH JUST DOES NOT DO IT FOR ME BUT, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN MA'AM LAUREN BECAUSE THIS GRUNT MARINE MACHINE GUNNER HERE APPRECIATES THIS VIDEO OF YOURS AND I HAVE ALREADY TAKEN TO MUCH OF YOUR TIME
You are very welcome. I started out with ink and paper when I was a teenager And loved it.
Thank you. Great. I hope you also have similar tapes on pastels, how to fix and sharpen pastels and papers.thank you.
I am working on some more now that my kids are back in school.
Hi Lauren...With the U Art sanded paper, what grit would you use for an animal portrait in colored pencil...and also pastel pencil?
great tutorial !!!! learned a lot and being able to see the paper in action helped a lot. thank you !!! have you used the touch by Canson ?
I have not but it's on my list to try!
Great review!
I was wonder what tools you are using for blending - particularly one with the handle. I'm new to this and am thinking of buying pastel pencils.
Those are used for pan pastels. If you look that up then you should find those tools too!
Great video, thanks so much. Do you know if the Arches can take alcohol underpainting? Thx
Yep it can
Great review, thank you!
Very helpful!
Holy bleep! I immediately took a piece of uart I had been testing out off and on for the last 3 years and rinsed it off. Most of the pastel came off, but the colored pencil didn't. Still, I'm going to attempt to work on the top of all of that leftover mess. thanks for that tip!
Glad I could help!
Thank you!
superb review. def interested in the watercolour paper review. also do you have any extra info re toning paper with a light wash (beyond the bead). i get buckled paper everytime.
i can manage a smooth wash on cold pressed but as im using dry media ontop, hot pressed is preferable but wayyyy harder to not have strippy overlaps and pigment moving if/when the paper buckles.
its a very fine line.
Great tutorial....thanks so much.
Very helpful video thanks.as a beginner to pastels this was brilliant and to me the UART apple was the best, i have 1000grit in my drawer but asking what grit would you use for an animal portrait in colored pencil...and also pastel pencil? as asked before ,cheers
I saw that "glasin"? paper, and I was like, "ooh I want that," and I didn't even know what it was 🤪
Thank you so much, the video was so very helpful,thank you for your time Sandy.
Lauren, what are your thoughts about the Gioconda?
Hi Lauren, which paper(s) would you suggest for Rembrandts?
I really like Rembrandts with the sanded style papers and the cold press watercolor papers.
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thanks Lauren, i just went to Jackson's and they had a variety pack of 7 different 1/4 sheets of sanded papers to try so i added them onto my next Jackson's order and i look forward to giving them a go.
I've already got a whole bunch of watercolour papers as i'm just swapping over to pastels from watercolour. So i'll give them all a try as well.
Keep well.
Stan
If you want to use ink or watercolour washes on Canson, you need to go really old school. Stretch it like watercolour paper on a board with gummed tape. That's how illustrators and designers worked with it for years, before pastel board and sanded papers.
❤amazing beautiful art ..want yo eat this sweet and shinny apple😂
Thank you! How soft were your pastels? I am asking because I have had a hard time filling the texture on mi-teinte even on the reverse side.
Eva Dostie The pastels ranged from hard/firm to medium softness (pastel pencils, prismacolor nupastels, and richenson hand rolled pastels). In the areas I didn’t want the texture of the paper showing I blended it in with little sponge and that filled in the holes). Which pastels do you have?
@@LaurenWatkinsArt I have nupastels and a few rembrantd and Unison. I will definitely try with a bit of water and sponge. I have tried alcohol which works but I was hoping to avoid and extra step. Thank you!
Ok. So Rembrandt pastels still fall In the hard category. So if you want to be able to fill in the texture without blending I would recommend getting some of softer brands of pastels. Mount vision, jack richenson, or terry ludwig could help with that. But then you run the risk of filling in the tooth of the paper earlier than you want so you have to use a light hand as you build your layers.
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thank you so much. I am expecting some for christmas and I think I might make them Terry Ludwigs. Meanwhile I’ll live with the texture. It’s just practice anyway!
Thanks for this. Very through and detailed review of the papers. And some beautiful art creating to watch while listening. A question about the UArt paper. I just bought a bunch and then saw from another youtube artist that UArt Paper is acid free on the front but not on the back - do you know more about this? And if so, do you think it will affect the long term archival quality of the artwork? Curious to get thoughts of experienced artists. Thanks.
Art is Kalai I have not heard of this. Everything I have read on it and experienced with Uart paper is that it’s Archival and that it’s ph neutral/acid-free. I know a lot of professional artists that use it and I doubt they would use it if it wasn’t archival.
@@LaurenWatkinsArt Thanks for your reply. I hope this is true since I just bought a whole bunch and they were not cheap!
I noticed your etsy store is closed why ?
Hi mam I'm from India
Ur video very helpful
Thank u so much
Be careful when ordering thinner paper from blicks, I ordered 20 sheets of fabriano tiziano and every single piece had finger dents ALL over it! The paper was unusable. I can't believe they shipped that to me, I was so disappointed. I had to haggle with them to get all my money back.
Oh man I am so sorry that happened! I have never had an issue but I would be so upset if that happened to me.
Cons For me:
Pastelmat - not so punchy, can fill tooth fast, warping, difficult to erase and blend
Colourfix: texture is seen despite full blending...that's horrible
Colourfix is tricky and is my least used paper. It’s too inconsistent on the texture.
I find dickblick.com to be a wonderful high quality art supply source. I have shopped with them for over 30 years. Their customer service is awesome. My city of 60,000 people does not have even one art supply store, just hobby stores.
The first paper is so badff
great video but next time if i were you i'd add chapters.
Thanks for the feedback
I could only stand 4 minutes of your dry mouth sounds.
Thank u for this helpful video ❤