Chalk Pastels – Studio Exploration
Quality
Oh chalk pastels…
It took me awhile to really familiarize myself with the differentiation of chalk pastels from soft pastels.
There are a few differences between the two mediums, chalk pastels tend to be cheaper in cost, and are not lightfast or permanent.
Chalk pastels are better medium for younger students to utilize. Even though soft pastels can be non-toxic, there are still inhalation issues involved. As a precaution, I would prefer using chalk pastels with children, as opposed to soft pastels.
If I did utilize soft pastels with students, I would do so with middle school and up. We would use non-toxic student grade pastels and students would be advised to not blow the dust from their pastel paintings and to wash their hands after using the medium. I believe chalk pastels are better suited for younger students.
Additional Resources to Consider
As with any medium, toxicity with pigments should be handled with care…
Dust masks and instilling good practice to not inhale dust is a must. Safety precautions and advice on labels should always be taken into account. After all, toxins have a greater effect on growing children than adults.
Additional Resources that should be kept in mind include surface material: what type of paper should be used – variation in quality, weight and texture. Another thing to keep in mind is the environment: will the artwork be made outdoors on an outdoor surface or indoors with proper ventilation and cleaning. For soft pastels among older students, should fixatives or an alternate be used?
As techniques go, blending tools other than one’s finger should be considered. Tape and drawing board can also make the artmaking process easier.
Brands
Economic/Lower Quality
Blick student grade
Mungyo Gallery – cheaper/student grade
Loew-Cornell Chalk Pastels
Medium
Faber-Castell Goldfaber Studio Soft Pastels
General’s Multi-Pastel Pastel Chalk Stick Set
Higher Quality
Holbein Soft Pastels Cardboard Box Set
Prismacolor NuPastel Color Stick Set
Age Appropriateness
Soft pastels: Middle school and up
Chalk pastels: Older Elementary – Middle
Limitations
- Quality if student grade
- Toxicity and dust
- Harder for younger students to use and understand
Strengths
- Cost
- Usability
- Variation in color and techniques that can be used
- Easy to blend and build up color
- Vivid color
Different techniques
Personal Comfort Level
I do not remember the last time I used chalk pastels for artmaking, however I am very comfortable with soft pastels. In my personal life I do not take the proper safety precautions when working with this medium. Although through research I am learning how to better protect myself and others from the pigment toxicity.
