PanPastel Drawing Techniques
PanPastel is popular for many drawing & sketching techniques.
Subtractive
Tone paper using PanPastel and one of the larger Sofft® Sponges (Angle Slice or Big Oval). Then use an eraser for subtractive drawing techniques.
Line Weights
Change line weight by varying pressure on Sofft Tools. Also manipulate sponges and use edges for different size marks.
Sketching
PanPastel is a great way to block-in for underpaintings, for drawings and quick sketches for color studies.
Sharlena Wood - "Drawing Wild Animals" Craftsy Class
David Kassan “Aubrey”
PanPastel Black & Sofft Knife No.4 with General Pencil White Charcoal Pencil
"Drawing Closer to Life" Video Series
Alla Prima
“I also use different PanPastel Colors for my initial block-ins for my Premier Coup (Alla Prima) oil painting studies, because they offer the artist a multiple of color dry set-ups in which you can really build up beautifully rich texture and pure color oil paint strokes. No more melting into an underpainting’s wash.“ - DAVID KASSAN
Image Transfer
Easily transfer a drawing or image using PanPastel. A quick and easy alternative to using transfer paper.
Step 1: On reverse side of image - cover with a PanPastel earth color. Shown Red Iron Oxide Shade (380.3)
Step 2: Print image onto lightweight paper. (E.g. photocopy paper).
Step 3: Place image, right side up, on top of desired transfer surface. Using a blunt tipped instrument, trace carefully along outline of printed image.
Step 4: Lift paper. Image is now transferred to the desired surface.
You Might Also Like
History of PanPastel Artist Pastels
In the early 2000s artists Bernadette Ward and Ladd Forsline had an idea for a totally new art material: a dry color medium that would work like a fluid paint.
Basic PanPastel Techniques
A visual guide to some basic PanPastel techniques
The Story Behind the New PanPastel Colors
As soon as GOLDEN acquired PanPastel in November 2022, we began hearing a repeated call from artists: “new colors please!” In February 2025, we delivered on that request. Here we discuss our process in selecting these new colors.
PanPastel Surface Guide
A guide to using PanPastels on a number of different surfaces.