Blick Presents – Sennelier Soft Pastels

Sennelier Soft Pastels were first created way back in 1887 by Gustave Sennelier for Edgar Degas. In France, it is the only pastels that has the Kings Crown of approval on its label. They are made from 100% pure pigment that is bound with gum arabic.

They do not contain any, which means these colors are more vibrant than other pastel brands on the market today. These beautiful pastels are lightfast and their colors will remain true for centuries to come.

They come in both full stick and half stick size. The full sticks are air dried and individually hand wrapped. The half sticks are a little shorter and thicker than the full sticks and are not wrapped. The full stick soft pastels are available in a wide range of colors, 525 to be exact, which includes 24 iridescent colors. They are sold individually or in sets.

The half sticks are available in sets that range in size from 20 to 120 different colors.

Sennelier’s have a unique velvety texture and are wonderfully brilliant and intense.

These pastels can be used as a paint! After applying the pastels to your paper, simply wet a brush with water and paint over the pastels. It will create a look similar to watercolors with a slight grittiness.

Sennelier also makes their own paper called “La Carte” that is especially made for working with these beautiful pastels. This paper is slightly abrasive yet has a smooth and uniform texture. This unique texture enhances pigment adhesion so that less fixative is needed. So if you decide to give these pastels a try, you should consider buying the paper as well. You can conveniently purchase these items online from Blick Art Materials. See the product descriptions below for more information. I purchase my supplies online through Blick Art Materials all the time. They have amazing prices and fast shipping! Enjoy!

Blick Presents – Sennelier Soft Pastels

A big thanks to Blick Art Materials for sharing this video. Check out more of their videos on YouTube here.

Sennelier Soft Pastel Sets

Sennelier Soft Pastels are available in a variety of specialized sets. In addition to light, medium, and dark toned sets, Sennelier also offers starter, landscape, portrait, and floral sets. Sets are packaged in sturdy cardboard boxes, with a snug fitting foam to protect each stick. Full-sticks measure 2½” long × ½” in diameter (64 mm × 13 mm). Half-Stick Sets — Sennelier Pastels are available in half-sticks, giving you twice as many pastels for the money, and allowing you to sample twice as many rich, wonderful colors. Each half stick pastel measures 1¼” long × ½” in diameter (32 mm × 13 mm). Wooden Box Sets — Superb packaging makes these sets ideal for gift giving as well as studio storage. Snug fitting foam protects each stick in smoothly finished hardwood cases with brass hardware. Available in a variety of colors and sizes. The deluxe box of 525 features leather handles and accents. It measures 17″ × 18½” × 3″ (732 mm × 470 mm × 76 mm). A smaller deluxe set of 250 pastels still contains a wide range of colors in deluxe packaging.

Sennelier Soft Pastels

Sennelier uses only the purest pigments, mixed with minimal amounts of natural binders, in an exclusive formula that yields lightfast, water-soluble pastels. There is just enough binder to hold the pigment together as the pastels are formed by hand, placed in special molds, and allowed to air dry. No fillers or clays are used. Sennelier soft pastels are highly concentrated and so soft that a gentle stroke will deliver a solid, powerful line of brilliant color. Sticks are 2½” long × ½” in diameter (64 mm × 13 mm). Gift Idea —Delight the artist in your life with a set of Sennelier Pastels. Sennelier Pastels are available in a variety of gift boxes, from the economical half stick sets to more complete and specialized sets. See Sennelier Soft Pastel Sets for pictures and more detailed specifications of these sets.