Exploring Studio Materials – Chalk Pastels

Dry medium : Chalk pastels by different brand products

I have explored chalk pastels to pre k-12 art class practices, and I would like to share my findings with you. Chalk pastels are commonly used in elementary and secondary schools’ art classes. Although pastels tend to produce dust, they are a preferred medium among artists because they can be used with a wide variety of techniques.

Materials:

• Canson Graduate Mixed Media Pad

• Rembrandt Soft Pastels

• Faber-Castell Soft Pastels

• Black Studio Soft Pastels

• Kneaded Eraser

• Paper Towel

Additional Resources with Soft Pastels

• You can blend pastels with your fingers or a paper towel to create smooth surfaces, making them ideal for finishing backgrounds. They can also be erased using a kneaded eraser, so feel free to use one if corrections are needed.

• Also, using a blending stump to blend the boundaries where different colors meet allows for natural color transitions. The pointed tip enables us to add delicate details to small areas.

My Comfort Level

• Personally, I find working with soft pastels comfortable, however, when using them in a classroom setting, I must exercise special care regarding the potential for soft pastel dust to become airborne. I will instruct students not to blow away soft pastel dust and will recommend that students with respiratory sensitivities wear masks.

• To effectively guide advanced students, I should improve my own ability to execute intricate details with soft pastels. I will be able to practice filling in the base areas with soft pastels, refining the outlines with colored pencils or waterproof ink pens, and executing detailed shading.

Age appropriateness

• Some manufacturers have imposed strict age limits on the use of their soft pastel products. Rembrandt Soft Pastels are recommended to use for ages 14 and up and Faber-Castell Soft Pastels are for ages 13 and up.

• However, for products bearing the AP seal, I will allow students aged 6  to explore using soft pastels. Research into appropriate usage ages reveals that in actual art lesson settings, students aged 6 to 8 use soft pastels during art classes under teacher supervision, while those aged 9 and older use them freely after receiving safety instructions.

Heathy and Safety Concern

• The products, Rembrandt Soft Pastels 15 colors , Faber-Castell Soft Pastels 24 colors, and Black Studio Soft Pastels 24 colors are non-toxic and safe to use for children. They are certified the AP (Approved Product) seal from the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) to ensure safety. However, soft pastels produce dust during use. It is important to remind students not to blow on them while working to prevent disperse into the air and be inhaled.

Strengths and Limitations

• Rembrandt Soft Pastels– 12 Colors

Strengths – Applies color well

- Produces less dust

- Colors blended well

Limitations – Breaks easily

- Steep price for students

• Faber-Castell Soft Pastels– 12 Colors

Strengths – smooth flow

- Vivid color expression

- Fine details by sharp point

Limitations - Pastel dust during use

-They will be used up quickly due to thin and small size

• Black Studio Soft Pastels – 12 Colors

Strengths – smooth flow

- Its thickness allows for long-lasting use

- Affordable price

Limitations – Pastel dust during use

-Colors are not blended well

Price Information for Purchasing Materials

• Rembrandt Soft Pastels 15 Color (half stick) set : Premium

Walmart $30.84 / Amazon $24.01

• Faber-Castell Soft Pastels 24 Color (mini) set : Premium

Michaels Store $14.99 / Amazon $15.30

• Blick Studio Soft Pastels  24 Color set : Students grade

Blick Art Materials $14.09

(The product is larger in size comparing with Faber-Castell Soft Pastels.)

* Pricing information was obtained on October 1, 2026. Prices are subject to change in accordance with the store's policies.

 Reflection of Material Exploration with Soft Pastels

I drew a bluefin tuna using Rembrandt Soft Pastels. To ensure the colors blended naturally when coloring the tuna's body, I applied a base layer by rubbing white pastel with my fingers. Because the pastel tips were blunt, it was difficult to render the sharp fins. For the background, I blended gray, light sky blue, blue, and yellow pastels, smudging them with a tissue to apply the color.

One of the most positive aspects discovered while experimenting with this medium is that the colors are easy to layer and blend seamlessly.

When you wish to preserve your soft pastel artwork for a long time, you can apply a “Soft Pastel Fixative Spray” to set the colors and prevent smudging or transfer. Please note that “Fixative Sprays” cannot be used in art classrooms, instead, use them while wearing a N95 or P95 respirator mask in an area where their use is permitted.