If you've never worked with PanPastel colours, you're in for a treat. These ultra-soft, highly pigmented pastels come in a unique pan format — more like eyeshadow than a traditional pastel stick — and they open up a world of blending, layering, and mark-making that's unlike anything else in the pastel family. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced artist curious about a new medium, this guide will get you started on the right foot.
What Makes PanPastel Different?
Traditional pastel sticks are great, but they can be fragile, dusty, and difficult to control for fine detail or large smooth areas. PanPastel solves these problems with a compressed pan format that:
- Produces minimal dust compared to stick pastels
- Allows for smooth, even coverage over large areas
- Blends effortlessly with Sofft tools (more on those below)
- Layers beautifully without muddying or lifting previous layers
- Works on virtually any surface — paper, canvas, wood, and more
The pigment load is exceptionally high, which means colours are vivid and lightfast. PanPastel colours meet ASTM D4236 standards and are rated for permanence — your work will last.
Essential Tools: Sofft Applicators
PanPastel is designed to be used with Sofft tools — foam applicators that pick up pigment from the pan and apply it to your surface. The most common types are:
- Sofft Knife — a flat, wide applicator for covering large areas smoothly
- Sofft Sponge — round and versatile, great for blending and circular strokes
- Sofft Angle Slice — perfect for edges, fine lines, and detail work
You can also use your fingers, makeup brushes, or even crumpled paper towel for different effects. Experimentation is part of the fun.
Core Techniques to Try
1. Smooth Blending
Load a Sofft Knife with colour and apply it in smooth, overlapping strokes. Use a clean tool (or your finger) to blend edges. This technique is ideal for skies, backgrounds, and skin tones. Try layering Cerulean Blue over a base of white for a luminous sky effect.
2. Colour Mixing on the Surface
Unlike watercolour or oil, PanPastel colours are mixed directly on your painting surface. Apply one colour, then layer a second on top and blend. For example, layering Cerulean Blue Tint over Crimson Tint creates a soft, atmospheric violet — perfect for floral backgrounds or twilight skies.
3. Dry Brush Texture
Use a stiff brush to pick up PanPastel and apply it with a dry-brush motion for textured effects like grass, fur, or rough stone. The pigment catches on the tooth of the paper, creating natural-looking texture without overworking.
4. Underpainting
PanPastel is exceptional as an underpainting medium. Apply a loose colour map of your composition, then work over it with coloured pencils, oil pastels, or even acrylic. The PanPastel layer adds depth and colour harmony to the finished piece.
5. Highlights and Accents
Use Cerulean Blue Light or other tint shades to add luminous highlights. Apply sparingly with the tip of a Sofft Angle Slice for precise placement. PanPastel tints are particularly beautiful for this — they're soft enough to sit on top of darker layers without muddying.
Which Colours to Start With?
If you're new to PanPastel, a set is the most economical and practical way to begin. The PanPastel 20 Colour Shades Set gives you a well-rounded selection of hues across the colour wheel — ideal for landscapes, still life, and general practice. For portrait artists or those working with figures, the PanPastel 20 Colour Portrait Set is curated specifically for skin tones, hair, and warm neutrals.
Want something a little more unexpected? The PanPastel 6 Colour Metallics Set adds shimmer and dimension to any work — stunning for mixed media, card-making, or adding a touch of magic to botanical illustrations.
Surfaces That Work Best
PanPastel adheres to any surface with a slight tooth. Our top recommendations:
- Pastelmat — the gold standard for pastel work, holds many layers
- Watercolour paper (cold press) — accessible and widely available
- Sanded pastel paper — for maximum pigment grip and texture
- Canvas — primed with gesso for a more painterly feel
Avoid glossy or coated surfaces — the pigment won't adhere without a tooth to grip.
Fixing Your Work
PanPastel can be fixed between layers or at the end with a pastel fixative. Apply lightly from a distance to avoid disturbing the surface. Note that fixative will slightly darken colours — test on a scrap piece first. Many artists choose to leave their work unfixed and store it carefully under glassine paper instead.
Ready to Explore PanPastel?
PanPastel is one of those mediums that surprises artists every time — it's faster than coloured pencil, more controllable than stick pastel, and endlessly versatile. Once you start, it's hard to stop.
Shop our full PanPastel collection at Studio Six →
Questions about which set to start with, or how PanPastel works with your favourite surface? We're happy to help — reach out anytime.