Pastels

art · color · drawing

Powder and binder. Pastels are made by mixing colored powder (called pigment) with a tiny bit of glue-like binder that holds everything together. The binder is almost colorless so it doesn't change how bright and pure the colors look.

Many shapes and sizes. Pastels come in lots of different forms. You can get them as sticks, squares, small pebbles, or even as loose color in pans, so artists can choose what works best for their project.

True, vibrant colors. Because pastels are mostly just pure pigment with a tiny bit of binder, the colors look more true and natural than almost any other art medium. They create a soft, velvety effect that's hard to copy any other way.

No water needed. Unlike watercolors or acrylics, pastels are completely dry, so you don't need water or brushes to use them. You can blend colors right on the paper with your fingers, a cloth, or a special blending tool.