Using the right equipment can completely change your pastel experience. While skill and practice matter, the tools you choose should support your technique — not limit it. These are the core materials I recommend for my own work and for my students.

That said, if you don’t have this equipment, you can still create beautiful artwork. Expensive materials are not a requirement for great results, and there are always ways to adapt with what you have.

Pastel Pencils

For detail work, I recommend Carbothello pastel pencils. They hold a sharp point well, have excellent pigmentation, and allow for controlled, precise mark-making — especially important when working on realism.

There’s also one colour I believe everyone should own: Derwent Saffron. It’s a warm, versatile tone that’s invaluable for animal portraits, skin tones, and soft highlights. It does require a larger sharpener, but it’s absolutely worth it.

PanPastels (Ideal for Underpainting — but Not Essential to Begin)

I use PanPastels for underpainting because they allow you to lay down soft, even layers of colour quickly without filling the tooth of the paper. They create a strong foundation and keep the surface open for detailed work on top.

The core colours I recommend are:

Burnt Sienna

Burnt Sienna Shade

Black

White

These four colours alone are incredibly versatile for establishing values, depth, and light.

Don’t Have PanPastels? Here’s a Simple Alternative

If you don’t own PanPastels, you can still create an effective underpainting using cheaper soft pastel sticks.

Rub the pastel stick onto a spare piece of paper to create a small pile of pastel dust. Dip a dry paintbrush into the dust and gently apply it to your artwork as an underpainting. This method works beautifully for blocking in tone and colour and is a great budget-friendly alternative.

It may not be as clean or controlled as PanPastels, but it is absolutely effective — and many artists work this way with excellent results.

Why Underpainting Matters

A good underpainting sets the structure and mood of your piece. It helps establish values early, prevents overworking later, and makes the final layers feel more cohesive.

Whether you use PanPastels or pastel dust with a dry brush, the goal is the same: create a solid base that supports your artwork, not one that restricts it.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need the most expensive materials to create great art. Quality tools can make the process easier and more enjoyable, but creativity, observation, and practice matter far more. Use what you have, learn the fundamentals, and upgrade your materials when it feels right for you.