Choosing the Right Paper & Surface for Pastels – A Guide for Pastel Artists

Choosing the Right Paper & Surface for Pastels

One of the questions that comes up again and again at our sessions is: "What paper should I use?" It's a great question — and the honest answer is that there's no single right answer! The best surface for your pastels depends on your pastel type, your technique, and what you're trying to achieve.

After a few great chats about this at recent sessions, we thought it was worth pulling together some guidance and sharing some brilliant resources to help you find your perfect surface.

Why Does Paper Matter?

Pastels are a dry medium — they don't bind to a surface the way paint does. Instead, they rely on the tooth (texture) of the paper to grip the pigment. Too smooth and the pastel slides off; too rough and it can feel uncontrollable. Getting the surface right makes a huge difference to how your pastels handle and how many layers you can build up.

Things to Consider for Pastel Pencils

• Tooth: Pastel pencils are finer than soft pastels, so they work best on a surface with a moderate, even tooth — not too coarse or the pencil tip will wear down quickly.
• Smoothness: A slightly smoother surface (like Ingres or fine-grain pastel paper) allows for detail and precision, which is where pastel pencils shine.
• Layering: Consider how many layers you want to build — smoother papers fill up faster, so if you like to layer heavily, look for a paper with more tooth.
• Colour: Toned or coloured papers can save time and add depth, as the mid-tone shows through in areas you leave untouched.
• Weight: A heavier paper (at least 160gsm) will resist buckling if you're working with fixative or blending.

Things to Consider for Soft Pastels

• Tooth: Soft pastels need a good amount of tooth to grip the pigment — look for sanded papers (like Uart, Pastelmat, or Clairefontaine Pastelcard) for maximum layering capacity.
• Layering capacity: Sanded surfaces allow many more layers than traditional pastel papers, which is ideal for blending and building rich colour.
• Blending: Smoother papers blend more easily with fingers or a tortillon; sanded papers hold marks more distinctly.
• Colour of surface: The ground colour significantly affects the mood of the finished piece — warm mid-tones suit landscapes, cool tones suit portraits.
• Fragility: Some sanded papers are delicate — handle with care and avoid over-working areas or the surface can break down.
• Fixative: Be aware that fixative can darken soft pastel colours — test on a spare piece first.

Things to Consider for Oil Pastels

• Surface type: Oil pastels are more versatile — they work on paper, canvas, card, and even wood. Heavier surfaces are generally better as oil pastels apply with more pressure.
• Absorbency: More absorbent surfaces (like watercolour paper) soak up the oil binder and can give a drier, more matte finish. Less absorbent surfaces allow for smoother blending.
• Blending: Oil pastels blend beautifully with a solvent (like odourless mineral spirits) on most surfaces — experiment to find what works for your style.
• Weight & durability: Use a heavier paper or board (300gsm+) as oil pastels require more physical pressure and the oil content can eventually degrade lighter papers.
• Primed surfaces: Canvas or board primed with gesso gives excellent tooth and durability for oil pastels, especially for larger or more ambitious pieces.
• Archival quality: If longevity matters, choose acid-free surfaces — the oil in oil pastels can cause yellowing on non-archival papers over time.

Further Reading & Resources

We've found these resources really helpful — well worth a read (and a watch!):

• 📚 Everything You Need to Know About Pastel Paper — Jackson's Art Blog. A comprehensive written guide covering paper types, tooth, colour and more.
• 🎥 I Tested Every Pastel Paper — a brilliant YouTube video putting popular pastel papers through their paces so you don't have to!
• 📄 Pastel Paper Guide by Alain Picard — a detailed PDF guide from pastel artist Alain Picard, covering surface choices in depth.

As always, the best way to find your favourite surface is to experiment! Many art shops sell sample packs of pastel paper — grab a few different types and see what feels right for you.

If you'd like to chat about paper choices in person, come along to one of our sessions — we love a good art supplies conversation! 🎨

👉 Book your place at a Malvern Pastel Artists session here

This article was written with AI assistance and reviewed by Malvern Pastel Artists.